21:53, 7 September 2023
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan on September 7 met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
FM Mirzoyan and his Emirati counterpart commended the strong and dynamically developing cooperation during the 25 years of diplomatic relations based on the traditionally warm ties between the two friendly nations, the foreign ministry said in a readout.
Mirzoyan underscored that the UAE is one of the important partners for Armenia in the region and expressed readiness to continue the mutually-beneficial dialogue in various areas through joint efforts.
Speaking about enhancing political dialogue and sustainable progress of cooperation, the ministers attached importance to carrying out mutual high-level visits and regular consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.
In the context of further intensifying trade-economic ties and implementing various investment projects, the importance of the effective activities of the Armenian-Emirati Intergovernmental Commission was noted.
The FMs also emphasized that the weekly 30 flights between the two countries are significantly contributing to the intensification of business ties, tourism, cultural and decentralized cooperation. In this regard, the ministers commended the upcoming Armenia-UAE Business Forum in Yerevan.
The areas of high technologies, digitization, cybersecurity and innovation were pointed out as promising directions for partnership. The inclusion of new areas of interest in the bilateral agenda was also discussed.
Issues of regional and international importance were also addressed.
FM Mirzoyan briefed the UAE Foreign Minister on the current security situation in the South Caucasus and Armenia’s vision to achieve peace and stability in the region.
Speaking about the ongoing, nine-month-long blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, FM Mirzoyan underscored that Nagorno-Karabakh’s population of 120,000 is facing grave humanitarian challenges incompatible with dignified life, which can cause irreversible consequences. FM Mirzoyan underscored the need for the implementation by Azerbaijan of the ICJ rulings.
Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.
Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.