Monday, June 27 2022 19:11

ArmInfo.. "Unfortunately, more than a year and a half after the ceasefire, Azerbaijan continues its provocative actions against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, while the  warmongering and expansionist rhetoric has become an integral part of  the daily discourse of the leadership of Azerbaijan." Armenian  Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated ton June 27 in Athens at a  joint press conference with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.  As  reported by the RA MFA press service, Mirzoyan, in his speech,  particularly noted.

"I presented to my counterpart in detail the situation created around  the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict and the position of Armenia on the  processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability, the  negotiations on the normalization of relations between Armenia and  Azerbaijan.  I also touched upon issues related to the processes of  the unblocking of the regional economic communications and transport  infrastructure, the works within the Commission of delimitation and  border security and overall the process on peace agreement.  I  stressed the key role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in  promoting the peace process for the settlement of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia appreciates the position of Greece  in support of the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under  the mandate and within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-  Chairmanship.    I would also like to seize the opportunity and thank my good friend  Nikos, who visited Yerevan during the 44-day war and expressed the  sympathy of Greece and the Greek people to us in that crucial period. 

We will never forget that gesture of a strategic partner.   Unfortunately, more than a year and a half after the ceasefire,  Azerbaijan continues its provocative actions against Armenia and  Nagorno-Karabakh, while the warmongering and expansionist rhetoric  has become an integral part of the daily discourse of the leadership  of Azerbaijan.  

Violating international humanitarian law and the obligations  undertaken with the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020,  Azerbaijan continues to hold the Armenian PoWs and civilians in  captivity, while the fate of hundreds of missing persons, including  dozens of enforced disappeared, remains unresolved. All the civilized  countries of the world, I repeat, all the civilized countries, using  all possible opportunities, should contribute, call and insist  Azerbaijan to return our prisoners.  

Throughout the millennia-long history, the Armenian people have  created wonderful churches and monuments that are an integral part of  the global cultural heritage.  Today, unfortunately, part of this  heritage is in danger of imminent destruction. As a result of the  state-sponsored, official policy of the Azerbaijani authorities, we  have desecrated churches, shattered monuments annihilated of their  Armenian trace in the territories fallen under the control of  Azerbaijan. Unlike many other such unacceptable cases, we can not say  that the world is silent. The world, indeed, talks, and has expressed  itself very clearly. One bright example of that is the the decision  of the UN Court of Justice to apply provisional measures in 2021,  which obliges Azerbaijan to end this policy.  

We expect a clear, targeted and continuous response of the  international community to this behaviour of Azerbaijan and emphasize  the urgency of the involvement of relevant international  organizations in Nagorno-Karabakh, especially the implementation of  the UNESCO fact-finding mission, which will be a significant step  towards preserving this heritage. 

And, of course, today I want to emphasize once again that peace is  our principle, our policy and strategy. We are really aiming to build  a peaceful, secure, stable South Caucasus, we hope that our neighbour  will restrain from its expansionist aspirations, and will demonstrate  a more constructive position on all issues.  

Dear Nikos, Thank you once again for the warm welcome and substantive  discussion. I will be happy to host you in Yerevan."