ArmInfo. The basic principles of the settlement of Armenian- Azerbaijani relations remained unchanged. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan stated on March 15 during a hearing in the RA National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Relation, at which the implementation of the RA government program was discussed.
According to the Minister, one of the main principles is the mutual recognition of territorial integrity based on the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, according to which the former Soviet republics recognize the administrative borders that existed during the Soviet period as state borders. The second, no less important principle is the opening of transport communications in the region, which must be implemented on the basis of sovereignty and equality of the parties. The Armenian side, the minister continued, is not only ready, but also interested in this project. Moreover, Yerevan has launched the "Crossroads of Peace" initiative, the participation in which of all countries in the region will be beneficial for them both from an economic point of view and as a factor contributing to the establishment of peace and security in the region. This project is being presented to international partners, most of whom welcome the initiative, but Baku has not responded to it in any way.
At the same time, as FM Mirzoyan noted, international partners are conveyed the idea that Yerevan's right to control all communications passing through its territory should not be violated. The Minister emphasized that the whole world is currently at the process of formation of new logistics routes, and great efforts must be made so as not to be left out of major projects.
FM Mirzoyan recalled the meetings of the Armenian and Azerbaijani commissions on border delimitation and demarcation. Negotiations also continued between the heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the heads of the foreign ministries of the two states, during which the provisions of the draft peace treaty were discussed.
The Minister also noted the work aimed at returning Armenian prisoners of war and hostages from Azerbaijan, the total number of whom, according to the Armenian side, is 23 people.