Monday, May 30 2022 14:19

ArmInfo."The situation in our region remains volatile and tense," Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated in an interview with the leading Indian WION media  outlet.

"Aftershocks of the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against  Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 still affect Armenia and the whole region.  Though large-scale hostilities were stopped after the Russian  brokered ceasefire by November 9, 2020, Trilateral Statement of the  leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan, many issues still remain  unresolved," he said. 

"In blatant violation of the Trilateral Statement and international  humanitarian law, and despite clear calls from the international  community, Azerbaijan refuses to release Armenian prisoners of war  and other detainees. Another issue is the very real danger of  destruction, desecration and identity distortion of the Armenian  cultural and religious heritage in the territories that fell under  the Azerbaijani control after the war. Azerbaijan hinders the  dispatch of the UNESCO assessment mission to the conflict-affected  areas that would have helped to protect the Armenian heritage from  total destruction," Mr Mirzoyan said. 

There is still continuous xenophobic rhetoric against Armenians  coming from the official Baku. There is still psychological terror  being made on Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, like broadcasting  through loudspeakers appeals to leave their homes threatening  otherwise to force them to do so, or cutting gas supply during severe  weather conditions. 

"There are still violations of the ceasefire taking place around  Nagorno-Karabakh. The latest case in point is the incursion of the  Azerbaijani armed forces in Parukh village of Nagorno-Karabakh on  March 24," Armenia's FM added. 

"Nevertheless, we think that peace, not war, is the solution, and  Armenia continues its efforts aimed at establishing peace and  stability in the region. We've repeatedly stated that we are ready to  start negotiations on comprehensive peace with Azerbaijan, which will  also include the lasting settlement of the Nagorno- Karabakh  conflict, including the protection of all rights of the people of  Nagorno-Karabakh and its final status.

"During the meeting of leaders in Brussels on May 22, it was agreed  to start work towards delimitation and security of the  Armenian-Azerbaijani border, finalize talks on opening the transport  infrastructure in the region and work on preparation for  comprehensive peace talks. If Azerbaijan demonstrates a constructive  approach and refrains from creating hurdles along the way like they  did many times before, I think we can move forward," Mr Mirzoyan  said. 

Asked about reports on Pakistani mercenaries supporting Azerbaijan  during the 2020 war in Karabakh, the Armenian FM said: 

"Yes, we are aware of such reports. Much of the mercenaries were  transported from the Middle East, which was also confirmed by the  intelligence services of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries. Any  involvement of mercenary force is aggravating the situation, as it  brings a wider regional aspect to a local conflict and is adventurous  in nature and illegal. Such actions always leave a long-lasting,  negative impact on the regional situation even after it is  stabilised."