Lacote: There can be no military solution to Karabakh conflict 

ArmInfo. France, as one of the  countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group, at the meeting of the  Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Brussels, reaffirmed  the commitment to fulfill the commitments undertaken to facilitate  the search for ways to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, French  Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote stated at a press conference in  Yerevan on July 12, commenting on the meeting of the Foreign  Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan Zorab Mnatsakanyan and Elmar  Mammadyarov in Brussels.

The Ambassador noted that it was an expected meeting. " There can be  no military solution to Karabakh conflict, and only peaceful  negotiations can lead to resolution," the Ambassador said. The French  President and Armenian Prime Minister emphasized this stand on  yesterday meeting, the Ambassador said.  At the same time, Lacote  stated that Paris positively assesses the statements made by the  Armenian side at various levels about the desire to settle the  conflict peacefully through negotiations. The diplomat also added  that he is well aware of the influence the unresolved conflict makes  on Armenian society.  Answering the question about France's position  on Pashinyan's statement that Artsakh should be included in the  negotiation process, Lacote noted that France welcomes any  initiatives that will lead to progress in the negotiations, but on  the issue of format, a consensus should be reached between all  participants in the process.

To note, on July 11, a meeting between Foreign Minister of Armenia  Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar  Mammadyarov was held in Brussels. This was the first meeting between  the Foreign Ministers of the two countries after the change of power  and forming of a new government in Armenia as a result of democratic  movement. Foreign Minister of Armenia thanked the OSCE Minsk Group  Co-Chairs for organizing the meeting and underscored the importance  of the peace process under their aegis and the need of  maintaining  the negotiation dynamics. The meeting was of familiarizing nature and  was aimed at getting to know each other's viewpoints. Zohrab  Mnatsakanyan underlined that the negotiation process has no  alternative and in this context highlighted the importance of steps  aimed at creating environment conducive to peace, building  confidence, reducing tensions, as well as strict adherence to the  ceasefire and the cessation of aggressive rhetoric. He emphasized  that realistic and constructive engagement of all sides of the  conflict is of primary importance for the success of the efforts  aimed at achieving a lasting peace. The interlocutors exchanged views  on the issues related to Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement   negotiation process. The Co-Chairs presented their upcoming plans to  the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Further steps were  touched upon.