Armenian Side Also Satisfied with Outcome of St. Petersburg Meeting

Yerevan / 21.06.16 / Turan-ArmInfo: The Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said the meeting between the Presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, which took place in St. Petersburg on June 20, "was held in a constructive atmosphere."

In an interview with reporters Nalbandian, in particular, said: "The meeting was quite useful, and with some caution I can say it was held in a constructive atmosphere." According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on a number of issues the Presidents came to an understanding. "If these issues are agreed upon, it will be possible to make progress in reaching a settlement," he said.

As Nalbandian explained, the sides agreed to continue their meetings, both at the level of Presidents and Foreign Ministers. "The process will take place in the Presidency of the OSCE Minsk Group format," the Minister said. "It is no coincidence that at the final stage of the negotiations, the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group were invited, representing Russia, France and the United States," he said.

Also at the meeting in St. Petersburg the parties agreed to empower the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman. The Minister recalled that during the period between the meetings in Vienna and St. Petersburg, Azerbaijan constantly performed with various statements, "which is hardly constructive." In this context, the Minister expressed concern over the fact that, while the meeting of the three leaders was held in St. Petersburg, Azerbaijan conducted large-scale military exercises involving 25,000 soldiers, heavy artillery and weapons. "I do not think this is a manifestation of a constructive approach to such a meeting," Nalbandian said. -02D-