ArmInfo. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrei Rudenko and Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Russian Federation Polad Bulbuloglu discussed the situation in the South Caucasus, the process of reconciliation between Baku and Yerevan at a meeting on July 17.
According to the press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian side confirmed the need for a complete and immediate opening of the Kashatagh (Lachin) corridor, the resumption of transport links along it in both directions in accordance with the tripartite Statement of November 9, 2020, as well as the creation of conditions for the normal life support of the Nagorny Karabakh.
"In connection with the incorrect comments of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry regarding the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry dated July 15 this year, it was emphasized that the Russian Federation has always respected and treats the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is fully committed to the spirit and letter of the bilateral Declaration on allied cooperation.
At the same time, this does not cancel the task of comprehensively promoting the process of Armenian- Azerbaijani normalization, resolving all issues on the agenda, including ensuring the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, exclusively by peaceful political and diplomatic methods," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.
The Russian side confirmed its readiness to organize a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Moscow in the near future to discuss ways to implement the agreements at the highest level, including the issue of agreeing on a peace treaty, followed by a summit of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Moscow to sign the said document.
"The meeting was held in a mutually respectful and constructive environment," the Russian Foreign Ministry concluded.
Earlier, as ArmInfo already reported, on July 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it accused Yerevan of deviating from the essence of trilateral agreements and called on Baku to lift the blockade of the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia and the outside world. At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced its readiness to organize a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Moscow in the near future to discuss ways to implement agreements at the highest level, including the topic of agreeing on a peace treaty, followed by the Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian summit in Moscow to sign the said document.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said today that they did not receive proposals from the Russian side to hold a meeting in Moscow.
We add that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, reacting to Moscow's statement, noted that it "causes bewilderment and disappointment and does not correspond to the Declaration on Allied Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia and the speeches of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, including Karabakh".
Baku considered "unacceptable the Russian Foreign Ministry's interpretation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan in the context of the fact that Karabakh was recognized as an integral part of Azerbaijan by the Prime Minister of Armenia."
The statement notes that the Azerbaijani side is taking practical steps to promote a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan and has always demonstrated adherence to the tripartite statements signed between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. With the same cynicism, Baku accused the RPC of failing to fulfill the agreements of the tripartite statements, which are allegedly violated by Yerevan, and considered unfounded "attempts to politicize the issue of establishing a checkpoint on the only road connecting Artsakh with Armenia and allegations of a tense humanitarian situation in the region".