Narek Galstyan: The Minsk Group Has Lost Control

Recently, Armenia’s Social Democrat Hunchak Party Executive Committee issued a statement reiterating its call on the Armenian Government to suspend negotiations with Azerbaijan conducted within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Today, Mr. Narek Galstyan, Chairman of the Social Democrat Hunchak Party (S.D.H.P.) clarified on the S.D.H.P. position.

“It is clear that the OSCE Minsk Group has lost control of the situation. The events in August, the downing of the helicopter and the acts of sabotage to start the New Year, when we have already lost four human lives, show that the negotiation process has been discredited. I think the OSCE Minsk Group should reconsider the process. The only way to comprehend this is with Armenia’s suspension of negotiations for a certain period and demand the Countries Co-Chairing the Mink Group exert pressure on Baku too cease its policy of aggression and provocations.” said Mr. Galstyan.

As to whether the S.D.H.P. sees a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem within another international structure Mr Galstyan said: “Launching negotiations within another structure is risky, such a structure would have to be acceptable to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Legally, Artsakh must be involved in the negotiations, as was the case in the past. At this moment the Minsk Group is not carrying out the mission it pledged to carry out – a peace process. They either cannot or do not want to press Baku into putting an end to border aggression. By continuing the negotiations Armenia ultimately validates such actions.”

“A soldier’s life is of great value to the Armenian people, the Armenian Government must suspend negotiations and urge the Minsk Group to take action.” continued Mr. Galstyan.