Gradual settlement is the only option to resolve the Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said.

"The activity has been observed in the negotiating process over the past 3-4 months. Both of Azerbaijan and Armenia need negotiations. The step by step solution is the only option to resolve the Karabakh conflict," Aliyev said at a meeting dealing with the outcomes of Azerbaijan's socio-economic development in H1 2016 on Sunday.

The mediators should put pressure on Armenia in order to resolve the conflict, he said.

The status quo is yet to be altered in the conflict, Aliyev said.

The Karabakh conflict is yet to be resolved with due account of the norms of international law on the basis of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, the president said.

During the April hostilities the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have given a worthy response to the Armenian side and have managed to liberate 2,000 hectares of territories, he also said.