ArmInfo. Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov is convinced that there is no other way than the complete normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said this, on June 9 in Yerevan, at a press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan referring to the prospects for signing a peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku.
In this regard, he noted that what is mentioned in the conventional term "peace treaty" is based on the proposals that were presented at one time by Azerbaijan. " Armenia submitted its vision in response, and taking into account these two documents, a process is underway in which we are ready to participate as a mediator, consultant, and, in principle, a facilitator," the Russian minister said.
At the same time, Lavrov recalled that the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia met three times to resolve practical issues related to the end of the conflict, the normalization of relations between the countries of the region, including, of course, relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
"We have a common understanding that the process is moving forward, we might like to see the pace faster, but nevertheless, the process is ongoing and there are intermediate positive results. But, there is no doubt that there will be final agreements. We are doing our best to do this contribute," the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"Of course, the parties have their own specific vision, which does not always coincide, regarding how to work at the forthcoming stage. But all our partners and we ourselves have the same understanding that the three statements that were adopted at the highest level are a very clear roadmap that we should all be guided by. And as the process of delimitation, we are very happy about the founding meeting of the commission. The next meeting, as you heard, is planned in Moscow. We are ready to provide consultative assistance, including the provision of cartographic materials, in accordance with the agreements of the leaders of the three countries. This is very important for this particular work," he added.
At the same time, he stated that in parallel with this process, a trilateral working group headed by the vice- premiers of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia has moved forward to unblock transport and economic ties.
"Today we discussed options for resolving existing issues. I am sure that they will eventually be resolved," Lavrov summed up.
In turn, the Armenian Foreign Minister, referring to the process of normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, agreed with his Russian counterpart that the process is moving forward in several directions at once.
"Of course, opinions differ on many issues, but this is what negotiations are for, to try to find common approaches on those points that do not coincide, through mutual concessions. We believe in the peace process. We think that in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is impossible to give a political solution without referring to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. And we believe that negotiations should take place within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group," Mirzoyan said, recalling that this is the only internationally recognized format for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.
At the same time, Mirzoyan believes that at this stage it is a bit exaggerated to call the ongoing processes on delimitation and border security negotiations. However, according to him, the beginning of this process has been laid.
He also added that Armenia sees some positive developments in the issue of deblocking transport communications and economic ties. "It would be wrong to say that there is a complete picture, but still, there are positive developments. And here I must say that the detention of Armenian prisoners of war by Baku, as well as encroachments on Armenian cultural monuments, and in general, the anti-Armenian rhetoric of Azerbaijan and provocations only interfere these processes. I would like to take this opportunity to once again draw the attention of our international partners and Baku to these issues," Mirzoyan concluded.
It should be reminded that earlier Azerbaijan put forward 5 points on the normalization of relations with Armenia. In particular: "Mutual recognition by states of sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of state borders and political independence of each other; mutual confirmation by states of the absence of territorial claims against each other and their acceptance of a legal obligation not to make such claims in the future; refrain from threatening each other's security in international relations, the use of threats and force against political independence and territorial integrity, as well as other circumstances that do not comply with the purposes of the UN Charter; delimitation and demarcation of the state border, the establishment of diplomatic relations; the opening of transport links and communications, the establishment of other relevant communications and cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.