The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian who headed the Armenian delegation at the Summit, on August 30 delivered a speech which as an official document of the Summit was spread among the delegations of participant countries.

In his speech Minister Nalbandian in particular noted, ‘Being an observer state of this Movement, Armenia shares its values, which base on the Respect for fundamental human rights and for the goals and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.’

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Edward Nalbandian addressing to the present high-ranking delegations, mentioned, ‘I am convinced that it is important to personally share with this distinguished audience the truth about manipulation with the inclusion by Azerbaijan in the Final declaration of this Summit the paragraph 391. Being a member of Non-Aligned movement for only about a year Azerbaijan is already abusing its membership, by misleading the member states and orienting them against the approaches of the international community. In fact, this paragraph presents the Nagorno-Karabakh issue in such a manner, which could hamper the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the only internationally mandated negotiating format and could undermine the ongoing peace process.

It is very regrettable, that this paragraph is in direct contradiction to the wording, logic and spirit of the ongoing peace process. It is also in full contradiction to the wording and logic of the statements made by the Presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries – France, Russian Federation and the United States in the framework of G8 summits in Deauville (2011), Muskoka (2010), l`Aquilla (2009) and recently in Los Cabos (2012), as well as the relevant statements made in the framework of the 56 member countries of the OSCE Astana Summit (2010) and Ministerial Councils in Vilnius (2011), Almaty (2010) , Athens (2009) and Helsinki (2008).

These declarations and statements highlight the three principles of international law – non-use of force or threat of force, equal rights and self-determination of peoples and the territorial integrity – as the key principles for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Unfortunately, paragraph 391 selectively addresses the above mentioned principles ignoring the principle of self determination of peoples and does not use the internationally accepted term of the “Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”.

Such an approach is not only endangering the negotiating process, and fragile peace on the ground, but is contrary to the founding principles of the Non-Alignment movement. The principle of self-determination was and is one of the basic pillars since the very first day of the foundation of this movement, which are emphasized in all Summit and ministerial documents.

Unfortunately, it has become a routine for Azerbaijan to disrespect the internationally reached agreements and to violate fundamental principles of international law, therefore it is not surprising that being a member of this movement, and Azerbaijan is continuously violating almost all “Bandung principles” - propagating racism and ethnic hatred. The International organizations have appropriately registered numerous cases of xenophobia, intolerance and racism in Azerbaijan.

The Non-Alignment movement through its history has always supported exclusively peaceful settlement of conflicts. While Azerbaijan threatens not only regional, but also international security and stability by daily war-mongering, by drastic increase of military budget: twenty fold during the last five years, by accumulation of offensive military capabilities in violation of its international obligations, continuous threats to use force. Such behavior of Azerbaijan is not befitting a NAM member state, moreover, it undermines the authority of this important organization’, stressed the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs.