There is no alternative to negotiations on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, RIA Novosti quoted French ambassador to Armenia Serzh Smessov as saying.
"The August events in Georgia showed that there is no alternative to the negotiations on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and use of force is not solution," Smessov said at international scientific conference "Reappraisal of Security Environment in the South Caucasus: Regional Conflicts, Stability and Transformation."
He said the conflict between Russia and Georgia that took place in August 2008 led to serious changes in the region and provoked new threats, misbalance and new understanding of the situation. New opportunities have appeared in the region to resolve conflicts, Smessov said.
"The sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict seem tom understand that the status-quo can not persist forever. Though resolution talks have not yet reached culmination, there is certain progress in the process," Smessov said.
He mentioned that Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev have already held four meetings. The next meeting will be held in early June in St. Petersburg.
"Minsk Group co-chairs have proposed "Madrid Principles" after which Armenian and Azerbaijani public must be made ready to accept these principles with the help of hard work," the diplomat said.
He said the Caucasus is not periphery for the EU and the region is a part of security system. "The important for us is that region is an alternative way for Europe to implement energy projects," Smessov said.