Serzh Sargsyan: Regardless of my political plans, I will be at the forefront of protecting Artsakh`s right to self-determination

ArmInfo. Armenia has undertaken to resolve the Karabakh conflict only peacefully, RA President Serzh Sargsyan said from the rostrum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. According to him, Armenia will use its influence on Artsakh to promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Serzh Sargsyan also urged the PACE to prevent, as far as possible, biased statements from the rostrum of the structure to preserve fragile security in the conflict zone. "Artsakh continues to build a democratic state based on the protection of human rights, and Armenia renders full support to Stepanakert on this path. In Europe, there should be no gray areas when it comes to the protection of human rights," the Armenian leader said. Presenting the genesis of the Karabakh conflict, Sargsyan stressed that Baku at one time tried to expel Armenians from their historical places of residence. Further, he focused on the need to respect the ceasefire. "Settlement should be peaceful, and we need to overcome the shortage of justice," the president said, stressing that regardless of his further political plans he will always be at the forefront in the protection of Artsakh's right to self-determination. Sargsyan again noted that the OSCE Minsk Group is the only negotiated format at the international level. He also recalled the Azeri aggression in April 2016, which was characterized by violations of international humanitarian law, stressing that Baku is not ready for a compromise. "This was a strong blow to the talks, which awoke the terrible memories of Sumgait," the Armenian leader summed up.