Russian ambassador to Armenia on principles of unblocking transport  links

ArmInfo.At his Tuesday meeting with reporters, Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopirkin has spoken of the principles of unblocking regional transport links. 

Elaborating on the subject in the context of Azerbaijan pushing ahead  with the "corridor logic", Mr Kopirkin said that Russia has  repeatedly stated its position, including by means of its Vice-  Premier Alexey Overchuk, Co-Chair of the trilateral working group for  unblocking the regional transport links.  

"The unblocking principles mean respect for the sovereignty of the  countries the links run through," the diplomat said. 

Mr Kopirkin is sure that Russia is honoring its allied commitments to  Armenia. In response to a remark that Russia is equating Armenia with  Azerbaijan whereas the latter is committing acts of aggression  against Armenia's sovereignty, he said that Russia is retaining its  military presence in Armenia. 

"And it is a key factor in maintaining security and preventing  escalations here. Besides, let us not forget the practical role our  peacekeepers are playing on the ground by maintaining contacts with  all the sides. And it is their efforts that primarily contribute to  de-escalation," Mr Kopirkin said.