Monday, May 17 2021 11:33

ArmInfo. On the initiative of the French side, on May 16, a telephone conversation took place between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and French  Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian .

As reported by the Azerbaijani media, referring to the Foreign  Ministry of Azerbaijan, the ministers discussed issues related to the  recent tensions on the Armenian -Azerbaijani border.

Jeyhun Bayramov noted that after a long time, "measures were taken to  strengthen the border" with Armenia, in particular, on the deployment  of Azerbaijani border troops "in positions related to Azerbaijan"  (illegal deployment in the sovereign territories of Armenia - Ed.  note), On " a constructive approach ", demonstrated to resolve  differences and tensions between the parties, and that the leadership  of the State Border Service was immediately sent to the region to  negotiate with the other side. Bayramov stressed "the inadmissibility  of exaggerating and politicizing border tensions" and the importance  of resolving such issues through negotiations.

The ministers also exchanged views on issues related to the  post-conflict period.

As ArmInfo previously reported, Le Drian held talks with his Armenian  counterpart Ara Aivazyin yesterday. The key topic of the telephone  conversation was the situation created in the border regions of  Armenia in connection with the inflammatory actions of the armed  forces of Azerbaijan, and the steps taken to reduce tensions.

In this regard, the Armenian Foreign Minister highly appreciated the  principled position of France on the inadmissibility of Azerbaijan's  encroachments on the sovereign territory of Armenia.

The parties also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The  active role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs was emphasized. Both  sides stressed the need to take measures to ensure regional stability  and security.  To note, on May 12 and 13, the Azerbaijani Armed  Forces illegally entered the territory of the Republic of Armenia in  the direction of Syunik and Gegharkunik, advanced 3.5 km and 2 km  inland, respectively, deployed their units and refuse to leave the  territory. In connection with the current situation, Armenia turned  to the CSTO to assist in finding a solution to this issue.

According to information circulated in the media as a result of the  negotiations that ended the night before and which took place with  the direct participation of the head of the Russian peacekeeping  contingent in Artsakh Rustam Muradov, the parties agreed on  practically the withdrawal of all Azerbaijani troops from the  territory of Armenia. However, Sev Lich in the Syunik region of the  Republic of Armenia temporarily retains one joint Armenian  -Azerbaijani post. Negotiations are to continue on May 18. There is  no official information from the Armenian authorities regarding the  results of the negotiations in connection with the current situation,  and it is difficult to draw any conclusions.