Thursday, June 9 2022 17:45

ArmInfo. RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and the delegation headed by him, the press  service of the RA PM reports.  According to the source, in his  welcoming remarks, Prime Minister Pashinyan, in particular, said,  "Dear Sergey Viktorovich, Welcome to the Republic of Armenia. I am  very glad to see you.

Russia and Armenia are strategic partners and allies and, of course,  this assumes that the intensity of bilateral visits and contacts  should be quite high, and we witness it. The agenda of our relations  is very wide and multifaceted. These are related to both bilateral  issues, and regional and international issues. I am glad that today  we will have the opportunity to discuss a wide scope of issues  related to our relations.

At the moment, the main issue on our agenda is related to the  regional situation, security, and the settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Of course, we are discussing this issue  with Russia quite intensively, and other issues as well. For example,  the opening of regional communications. The meeting of the trilateral  working group headed by the Deputy Prime Ministers of the Russian  Federation, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan  took place recently in Moscow. I hope that in the near future we will  be able to reach concrete agreements to resolve this issue of  strategic importance for the benefit of the whole region, for the  sake of stability and peace.

The agenda of normalization of relations between Armenia and  Azerbaijan is also very important. You know that the first meeting of  the bilateral working commission on demarcation and delimitation of  the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of  Azerbaijan took place recently. The second meeting is already planned  to be held in Moscow, the third meeting will take place in Brussels.  In this context, we expect the support of the Russian Federation for  this process to take place and proceed in a normal way and to be  effective.

I would also like to mention the issue of the return of prisoners of  war, hostages and other detainees who are still in Azerbaijan,  contrary to the November 9, 2020 trilateral declaration. We expect  the support of the Russian Federation in this matter as well, so that  this humanitarian issue can finally be fully resolved.  Welcome once  again, I am sure we will have fruitful negotiations today".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, "Dear Nikol Vovaevich,  Thank you very much for the opportunity to meet with you during our  full-up visit to the Republic of Armenia. Vladimir Vladimirovich  Putin conveys to you his warmest greetings and best wishes and  reaffirms the commitment to all the agreements reached during your  contacts, especially during your official visit to the Russian  Federation in April this year. You also met in Moscow within the  framework of the informal CSTO summit, you had many telephone  conversations.

We are committed to all the decisions aimed at deepening our  strategic partnership, allied cooperation, and the strengthening of  our bilateral relations in general. Today we discussed in detail with  Ararat Samvelovich the tasks you have set for us at the highest  level, I know that this work is one of the priorities within the  Intergovernmental Economic Commission.

But, undoubtedly, dear Nikol Vovaevich, as you mentioned, regional  issues deserve special attention now.  Implementation of the  trilateral statements of November 2020, January and November 2021 is  our priority.  We interested that all the directions and actions set  out there, aimed at the complete normalization of the situation in  the region, the settlement of all issues, including humanitarian  ones, to be resolved as soon as possible. As you mentioned, the  trilateral working group on unblocking transport and economic  communications at the level of Deputy Prime Ministers is in the  advanced stage of agreeing on specific aspects of the final  agreements. We have discussed what additional steps need to be taken,  and we will report to you.

The same goes for delimitation. We welcome the start of the work of  the two commissions from your and Azerbaijani sides. The first  session, meeting took place, we consider it very important. We will  start preparing for the meeting in Moscow with the participation of  Russian representatives, who, in accordance with the agreements of  the leaders, will provide consulting services, including cartographic  materials.  In general, we are interested in the full normalization  of relations between our neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Of  course, we are familiar with the proposals presented by Azerbaijan in  that context, we are also familiar with your positions, which you  have presented in written, Russia is ready to do everything possible  to reach a mutual agreement. And, as I said, we are committed to the  full implementation of all agreements without exception. It is  especially important for us to have the opportunity to hear your  assessments today. Once again, thank you for this meeting."

Nikol Pashinyan and Sergey Lavrov discussed issues related to the  Armenian-Russian strategic partnership, the regional stability and  peace agenda, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and  the process of normalization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.

In the context of the comprehensive settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Prime Minister of Armenia stressed the  important role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.  The interlocutors  also exchanged views on the development of scientific, educational  and cultural ties.  Sergey Lavrov praised the attitude and  hospitality of the Armenian side towards the Russian citizens who  have recently moved to Armenia.