ArmInfo.We invariably value friendly relations with Armenia. On March 20, opening negotiations with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated.
In this vein, he recalled that they recently met on the sidelines of the summit in New Delhi.
"We note the ongoing intensive political dialogue between our leaders, including within the framework of events under the auspices of the EAEU, the CSTO, the CIS. A meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council will be held this May," he said.
Lavrov recalled that at the moment Russia is the leading trading partner and investor in the Armenian economy. In this vein, he noted that last year was a record one, trade almost doubled, reaching almost $5 billion. "For the time being, we count in dollars, all this is temporary. This helped your country ensure record GDP growth, growth in business activity," he said, pointing to Moscow's interest in strengthening a single educational, scientific, linguistic space, humanitarian ties, and contacts between regions.
"We will devote considerable time to regional security. One of the priorities is to resolve the situation around the Lachin corridor, and in general around Nagorno-Karabakh. We have no doubt that the tripartite statements by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan remain the key to the implementation of all decisions to stabilize the situation in the economic, military-political and international legal sectors. We will be ready to provide all possible assistance in unblocking transport communications, delimitation, and agreeing on a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku," Lavrov stressed.
In turn, Mirzoyan expressed his conviction that during the talks there will be an opportunity to discuss and note the high level of political dialogue, the growth of economic ties, the deepening of bilateral relations in all aspects from cultural and humanitarian to interaction at the regional level of the two countries. In this regard, the Armenian minister declared Yerevan's readiness to deepen and build up mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
"As for the situation in the region, to our regret, it is being further exacerbated by the aggressive rhetoric of Azerbaijan at the highest level and by military provocations not only against Nagorno-Karabakh, but also against the sovereign territory of Armenia.
The blocking of the Berdzor (Lachin) corridor by Azerbaijan in violation of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, as well as targeted interruptions in the supply of energy resources to Nagorno- Karabakh, leave no questions about the motives of official Baku - the implementation of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh," the minister noted.
According to Mirzoyan, against this background, the imperative to implement the agreements reached and unblock the Berdzor corridor in strict accordance with the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020 and the implementation of the decision of the International Court of Justice on provisional measures against Azerbaijan of February 22 of this year stands out.
"Unfortunately, in practice, there is not a single point in the November 9 Statement that Azerbaijan did not violate. Systematic violation of the ceasefire, occupation of the territories of the Republic of Armenia, illegal blocking of the Lachin corridor, holding Armenian prisoners of war, preventing the opening of regional communications, preventing the launch of the mechanism the return of Armenian residents to their places of residence, which came under the control of Azerbaijan. Moreover, the Azerbaijani side, with its constant provocation, torpedoes efforts to establish long-term peace and stability in the region," he said. In this context, Mirzoyan pointed out the need for active steps on the part of the allies and partners of the Republic of Armenia in order for Azerbaijan to fulfill its obligations and stop the practice of using force or the threat of force, in violation of the norms and principles of international law.
In conclusion, he expressed hope that during the meeting it would be possible to discuss all the above imentioned ssues.