In the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan there are separate tracks of talks: the first is the opening of all regional transport communications, the second is delimitation and border security, and the third is a treaty on the establishment of peaceful relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said this in an interview given to Egypt’s leading AlQahera News outlet.
“Our position regarding the communications issue is clear. Armenia is ready for the opening of all communications the moment Azerbaijan accepts that the roads must operate under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the countries whose territory they cross. Regarding delimitation, unfortunately, months after the formation of the relevant commissions in 2022, Azerbaijan not only presented new territorial claims but also carried out another incursion into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, trying to justify its aggression with the false argument that the borders had not been delimited,” the Minister stressed.
Mirzoyan recalled that since December 2022 the two countries have exchanged a series of proposals on the draft treaty, trying to move the process forward in order to find just solutions on key issues.
“Thus, among the Armenian side’s proposals is the clarification of the criteria for the delimitation of the state border, since in our view, without clearly agreed criteria on the delimitation of the interstate borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the two countries cannot clarify which territorial integrity they mutually recognise, which, instead of establishing peace, will lead to another clash,” he noted.
According to Mirzoyan, the next step is the withdrawal of armed forces from the state border and the creation of a demilitarised zone along the border line, as a means of building confidence and a security mechanism that would help ensure the prevention of any possible escalation. In the Minister’s view, as an important component, there must be an international mechanism that addresses the issues of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
“Unfortunately, in response to our efforts, we are witnessing not only a rejectionist and maximalist approach by Azerbaijan during the negotiations, but also aggressive actions. Recently, the ceasefire violations of March 2-3 were followed by a pre-planned diversionary attack by Azerbaijan in the Lachin corridor on March 5, as a result of which three employees of the Nagorno-Karabakh police were killed. These actions once again demonstrate the absence of sincerity on Azerbaijan’s part in the settlement process, as well as its continued reliance on the use of force,” Minister Mirzoyan said.
Ararat Mirzoyan stressed that parallel to these actions, Azerbaijan regularly steps back from its commitments, continues the discourse of hatred and rhetoric of xenophobia, and also refuses to resolve humanitarian issues, among them the holding in captivity of 33 Armenian prisoners of war, confirmed by its own side to this day.
“The fate of a larger number of Armenians still remains unknown, and we have informed our partner organisations about these cases of enforced disappearances. The Armenian religious and cultural heritage that came under Azerbaijan’s control in 2020 faces a growing threat of complete destruction. All of this challenges the efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the region,” Ararat Mirzoyan concluded.
