ArmInfo. The problem of the return of prisoners of war, captives and other citizens, arbitrary interpretation of trilateral joint statements and aggressive rhetoric continue to exacerbate the situation in the region. This was stated by RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on September 4 at a joint briefing with his Lithuanian counterpart Ingrida Simonyte in Vilnius.
According to Pashinyan, at a meeting with Shimonyte, he informed her about the situation in the region and about the events that have taken place over the past few months. "In particular, I stressed that the final, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be implemented on the basis of well-known principles supported by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. We highly appreciate the balanced and constructive position of Lithuania on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Pashinyan said.
In addition, as the Armenian Prime Minister noted, the Lithuanian counterpart was informed about the early parliamentary elections on June 20, "as a result, the internal political crisis in the republic, as well as the environment of public unrest, was overcome." "This is the second consecutive election in Armenia that international observers have considered free, fair and competitive," the Prime Minister said.
He stressed that as a result of the elections, the government received a mandate to open an era of peaceful development for both the people and the region. This is a strategic goal, which, as Pashinyan pointed out, was fixed in the program of activities of the RA government. "We intend to achieve this key goal through dialogue and overcoming the environment of hostility in our region. We are determined to follow this path. However, I must note with regret that the constant violations of the ceasefire regime, the problem of the return of prisoners of war, captives and other citizens, arbitrary interpretation of trilateral joint statements and aggressive rhetoric continue to aggravate the situation, hindering the much-needed lasting peace of all the peoples of the region, "Nikol Pashinyan emphasized.
Nevertheless, according to the RA Prime Minister, despite the indicated circumstances, Armenia will consistently move within the framework of the agenda for establishing peace in the region. As Pashinyan pointed out, he is glad to state that international partners assess this policy of the Republic of Armenia accordingly.