Thursday, September 30 2021 19:04

ArmInfo. We continue to work on the release of Armenian prisoners of war in exchange for providing maps of the minefields. We are convinced that the soonest  and final elimination of these irritants will contribute to the  improvement of relations between Yerevan and Baku. Deputy Director of  the Information and Press Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry  Alexey Zaytsev said this on September 30 during a briefing, answering  a question on non-fulfillment of Azerbaijan's obligations regarding  the return of prisoners of war.

He stated that in connection with the anniversary of the events that  took place last autumn, memorable events were held both in Armenia  and in Azerbaijan. "We fully share the feelings of grief of friends  and relatives of those killed on both sides of the conflict. We  proceed from the fact that the statements of the leaders of Russia,  Armenia and Azerbaijan dated November 9, 20202 and January 11 this  year are a reliable guarantee to prevent such tragic events in the  future," Zaitsev said. 

At the same time, he stated that in its efforts to stabilize the  situation in the region, Russia focuses on the implementation of the  tasks arising from these trilateral statements, in moving forward in  all directions.  Answering the question about the militaristic  statements of the President of Azerbaijan and attempts to achieve the  so-called corridor through the territory of Armenia by force, Zaytsev  noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry understands the sensitivity  of the media to hot news or statements. 

"Nevertheless, it is obvious that the promotion of confrontational  stories does not contribute to overcoming the existing differences.  Instead, it is extremely important to provide an opportunity for  finding mutually acceptable solutions. Willingness to open a new page  in relations, and their gradual normalization, confirmation of the  objective possibilities of such an attitude was voiced at the highest  level both in Baku and in Yerevan. 

In our work we concentrate precisely on such positive moments, " said  the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.  At the same  time, he stressed that the trilateral working group on unblocking  economic and transport links in the Caucasus continues its activities  at the level of deputy-prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and  Armenia.  

According to the diplomat, Moscow, for its part, notes the positive  disposition of Yerevan and Baku to achieve mutually acceptable  package agreements, which in the future will make it possible to  transfer joint work into the plane of project cooperation.  

Zaytsev also touched upon the resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh adopted  a few days earlier in PACE, and noted that the Russian delegation did  not take part in the voting on the document, due to the fact that the  parties initially had disagreements on the wording contained in it.