“Deployment of peacekeeping forces in the region is not discussed in the negotiations on the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict,” spokesman for Foreign Ministry Elkhan Polukhov told APA. He said the parties are negotiating basing on common principles.

“The next stage of the negotiations will begin after agreement is reached on common principles. Deployment of the peacekeepers in the conflict zone is a part of the execution of the agreements. This is a very big issue; therefore it can be discussed as the next stage. A number of issues concerning the deployment of peacekeepers in the conflict zone should be solved. The question is the composition, number of the peacekeepers, the countries involved, place of deployment, their mandate etc. That’s why this issue is not being discussed at present,” he said.

Taking a stance on Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharian’s statement “Armenia may recognize the independence of Nagorno Karabakh”, Polukhov said such statements of the Deputy Foreign Minister do not have positive influence on the process of negotiations. “This shows again that Armenia’s position is not constructive,” he said.