Mirzoyan: Azerbaijan continues to torpedo the implementation of the provisions of the statement of November 9, 2020 and subjects them to free interpretation

ArmInfo. Russia played a key role in stopping the Azerbaijani aggression unleashed against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated this at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov following the talks in Moscow.

He stated that during the meeting, a wide range of international and regional issues, and first of all, of course, security and peace in the South Caucasus region were discussed in detail.

According to the Armenian Minister, of course, due attention was paid to the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, directions were outlined in which joint efforts should be intensified. "The deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh, as a factor in preventing provocations from Baku and a factor ensuring the security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, creates conditions for the restoration of normal life. In this regard, I would like to note with gratitude the consistent efforts of the Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin," Mirzoyan noted.

At the same time, he added that the main emphasis was on the discussion of issues related to the state of affairs that developed after the statement of the heads of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan adopted on November 9, 2020, as well as the resumption of the peace process under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.  "We appreciate the efforts of the Russian Federation aimed at fulfilling the agreements, among which the issue of the return of prisoners of war is extremely topical. Thanks to these efforts, it became possible for some of the Armenian prisoners to return to their homeland. At the same time, 10 months later, Azerbaijan, violating international humanitarian law, torpedoes the implementation of both this and other provisions of the Statement, or it replicates their free interpretation, which,  in conjunction, indicates the degree of negotiability of Baku, which continues to resort to open provocations, putting an already precarious situation in the region under a serious blow, "the Armenian Foreign Minister said.

At the same time, Mirzoyan sressed that the penetration of units of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia from May 12, 2021 is unacceptable and is an open violation of international law.

"Peace and stability in our region is our long-term strategy, and we are ready to start an active dialogue around this agenda. However, Azerbaijan's failure to fulfill the obligations assumed by the tripartite statement of November 9, as well as false territorial claims against Armenia and the generally constant aggressive rhetoric of the Azerbaijani authorities in no way contribute to the establishment of an favorable environment for long-term and sustainable peace and stability in the region, '' the head Armenian Foreign Ministry.

He once again stressed that the position of Armenia coincides with the position of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, according to which the issue of a political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains open.

"We presume that only through negotiations it is possible to reach a solution that will bring peace and stability to the South Caucasus.  Such a settlement should first of all be based on the issue of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.  During the exchange of views on the issue of involving relevant international organizations in the rehabilitation of the region, I stated that humanitarian access to Artsakh should not be politicized: here we are talking about the protection of human rights. The task of preserving numerous cultural, including Armenian religious monuments of Artsakh, which have come under the control of the armed forces of Azerbaijan, is also extremely acute," the Minister emphasized. 

In his words, taking into account the topic of unblocking economic and transport links in the region, it was noted that the opening of communications can change the palette of the region, diversify the logistic link between Armenia and Russia.

<The trilateral statement of January 11 sets the framework for this process.  And, according to our convictions, here a free interpretation of the provisions is also unacceptable, according to our convictions, "he said. 

In conclusion, Mirzoyan said that in the context of foreign policy coordination, they touched on the issues of interaction within the framework of the UN, OSCE, EAEU, CIS and CSTO, where Armenia will soon take over the chairmanship, which will be focused on increasing the potential of the Organization in the interests of ensuring collective security and balanced development. 

<And in conclusion, I would like to once again thank Sergey Viktorovich for the warm welcome and constructive dialogue.  Sergey Viktorovich, we are waiting for you in Yerevan at any time convenient for you, " the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry summed up.