ArmInfo. The Russian Federation played a key role in stopping the aggression unleashed against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan stated this on June 9 in Yerevan at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, noting that, undoubtedly, issues related to a possible document on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan as well asthe process of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict the settlement process were at the center of today's discussions.
"The deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh as a factor in preventing provocations and ensuring the security of the people of Artsakh aims to create conditions for the restoration of normal life, stability and security in our region. Armenia still continues to believe that the Russian peacekeeping mission is capable of restoring the status quo established by statement of November 9, 2020 and the situation of March 23, violated by the Azerbaijani armed forces on March 24 by the invasion of the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh.
"We appreciate the efforts of Russia aimed at the implementation of the trilateral agreements of November 9, 2020, among which the issue of the return of Armenian prisoners of war is extremely relevant. Thanks to these efforts, it became possible to repatriate some of the Armenian prisoners to their homeland. At the same time, almost a year and a half after the end of hostilities, Azerbaijan, violating international humanitarian law, disrupts the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration and refuses to return the detained Armenian prisoners of war and civilians," Mirzoyan stated, expressing the hope that the Russian side would make more efforts in this matter.
At the same time, the Armenian minister pointed out the relevance of the issue of preserving the numerous cultural and religious monuments of Artsakh, which have come under the control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
"I emphasized that against the backdrop of ongoing vandalism and desecration by Azerbaijan, this issue requires immediate international intervention. "It is necessary to mention the anti-Armenian expansionist rhetoric of the Azerbaijani leadership, as well as the ongoing provocations and systematic violations of the ceasefire," the Armenian Foreign Minister said.
At the same time, he confirmed the readiness of the Government of the Republic of Armenia to make efforts to achieve stability and peace in the region. "In this context, the key is the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which will include the key points of ensuring the security of the people of Artsakh, ensuring all rights and a final decision on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. The principles for resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were developed by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. Let me remind you that in their last joint statement, the leaders of our countries reaffirmed the importance of using the potential and experience of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in accordance with its international mandate," Mirzoyan said. At the same time, he noted that naturally, during today's meeting, issues of unblocking regional communications, delimitation and border security were discussed. According to the Armenian minister, in the context of the issue of unblocking economic and transport ties, it was emphasized that the opening of regional communications may create new opportunities, including diversifying the logistical connection between Armenia and Russia. "The tripartite statement dated January 11, 2021 defines a clear framework for this process, and we hope that the working group at the level of deputy prime ministers, the last meeting of which took place the other day in Moscow, will record its positive results. We also expressed satisfaction with the first meeting of the Committee on the delimitation and security of the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan and expressed hope for its effective work. It has already been announced that the next meeting of the Committee will be held in Moscow. We expect that the Russian side will provide consultative support to this process in accordance with the Sochi agreements of November 26, 2021," Mirzoyan summed up.