08:24Azerbaijan: Armenia's position 'has become more destructive’ with start of EU mission - Foreign Minister Bayramov
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that the activity of the European Union civil mission in Armenia has made Yerevan's position 'more destructive' during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Baku on Tuesday.
"It [mission] had two goals - the first strengthening of confidence-building measures between the parties. And it was also supposed to contribute to the delimitation process. Unfortunately, both the first and second functions did not achieve their results, and we did not see any effective steps in this direction. Moreover, we have seen that since the beginning of the mission, the position of the Armenian side on all tracks of the negotiation process has become, let’s say, more destructive," Bayramov said.
Lavrov also commented on the work of the mission in Armenia and claimed that the EU 'openly abuses' its relations with the republics.
"It [mission] raises many questions, including in terms of its functions, mandate, duration and in terms of the added value that this 'mission' can contribute to efforts to normalise relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. But it is the sovereign choice of the parties with whom to cooperate, with whom not to cooperate," the Russian foreign minister said.
In addition, Bayramov said that Baku sees no reason for Yerevan to refuse the proposals voiced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Munich Security Conference.
"On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the Azerbaijani president also voiced a proposal to the Armenian side that the sides could establish border control points on the Azerbaijani border that would allow for such transparency and resolve the issue. If the Armenian side is really interested in relieving tension while at the same time implementing the trilateral statements, we see no reason why this should or can be abandoned," Bayramov said.
In response, the Russian foreign minister stressed that Moscow is ready to facilitate the conclusion of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan.
"We stressed the need to intensify the work of the commission on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which was created with the understanding, it is written there, that the Russian Federation will provide advisory assistance to this work. We are ready for this, as well as ready to contribute to the conclusion of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan," Lavrov added.
On January 23, foreign ministers of EU member states approved the creation of a civilian mission in Armenia 'to promote a settlement in the Caucasus.' The mission's mandate provides for regular patrolling and reporting, 'which will strengthen the EU's understanding of the situation on the ground.' The mission is designed to last two years.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan welcomed the EU mission on his official Twitter account.
"We will readily cooperate with the mission and support its activities. This mission will contribute to the peace, stability and security of the region," Mirzoyan stated.
The Lachin corridor is the only road linking Armenia and Karabakh.
On December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijanis, who identified themselves as environmentalists, entered the corridor where a Russian peacekeeping contingent was also stationed. Baku stated that the purpose of that protest was not to block the road, and that civilian vehicles could move freely in both directions. At the same time, Yerevan accused Baku of provocation and an attempt to create a humanitarian disaster in the unrecognised republic.
On Thursday, February 23, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke on the issue of satisfaction by the UN International Court of Justice of Armenia's claim for the application of temporary measures related to the unblocking of the Lachin corridor.
The prime minister of Armenia stated that the International Court of Justice of the United Nations has stated the blocking of the Lachin corridor since December 12, recorded Azerbaijan's responsibility for this and called it to open the road.
Also, according to the prime minister, the court confirmed that the Lachin corridor should not be under the control of Azerbaijan, but under the control of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation, and pointed to the fact that there is a humanitarian crisis in Karabakh.
"The International Court of Justice unequivocally rejected Azerbaijan's claim for the application of a temporary measure against Armenia, with which Azerbaijan was accusing Armenia in mine laying. Thus, we can state that groundless accusations against Armenia about mining, which have been spreading on all international platforms for several months, have lost all meaning, and this is extremely important," Pashinyan said in a statement.
In turn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan reported that peaceful protests in the Lachin corridor are the legitimate right of the Azerbaijani people and do not create any obstacles to the movement of transport, and do not cause a humanitarian catastrophe.
"Since the beginning of the protests, more than a thousand vehicles using the road have provided residents with essential goods, medicines and necessary medical services. The Azerbaijani government has also repeatedly stated that it is ready to promptly meet all the humanitarian needs that the residents of Armenia may need," the ministry said in a statement.
The Azerbaijani diplomatic department also commented on the decisions of the UN International Court of Justice regarding the placement of landmines by Armenia, noting that 'Baku will continue to pursue for Armenia to be held accountable.'
In addition, according to Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev, Baku intends to achieve monitoring, reporting and stopping of mining in Karabakh.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry on December 23, peacekeepers are continuing the negotiation process with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides on resuming unimpeded vehicular traffic on the Stepanakert-Goris road.
"Patrols were conducted along four routes in the Martakert, Martuni, Shusha districts and the Lachin corridor. The Peacekeeping mission convoy with humanitarian cargo was escorted along the Goris-Stepanakert route," the ministry claimed.
08:24Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that the activity of the European Union civil mission in Armenia has made Yerevan's position 'more destructive' during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Baku on Tuesday.
"It [mission] had two goals - the first strengthening of confidence-building measures between the parties. And it was also supposed to contribute to the delimitation process. Unfortunately, both the first and second functions did not achieve their results, and we did not see any effective steps in this direction. Moreover, we have seen that since the beginning of the mission, the position of the Armenian side on all tracks of the negotiation process has become, let’s say, more destructive," Bayramov said.
Lavrov also commented on the work of the mission in Armenia and claimed that the EU 'openly abuses' its relations with the republics.
"It [mission] raises many questions, including in terms of its functions, mandate, duration and in terms of the added value that this 'mission' can contribute to efforts to normalise relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. But it is the sovereign choice of the parties with whom to cooperate, with whom not to cooperate," the Russian foreign minister said.
In addition, Bayramov said that Baku sees no reason for Yerevan to refuse the proposals voiced by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Munich Security Conference.
"On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the Azerbaijani president also voiced a proposal to the Armenian side that the sides could establish border control points on the Azerbaijani border that would allow for such transparency and resolve the issue. If the Armenian side is really interested in relieving tension while at the same time implementing the trilateral statements, we see no reason why this should or can be abandoned," Bayramov said.
In response, the Russian foreign minister stressed that Moscow is ready to facilitate the conclusion of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan.
"We stressed the need to intensify the work of the commission on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which was created with the understanding, it is written there, that the Russian Federation will provide advisory assistance to this work. We are ready for this, as well as ready to contribute to the conclusion of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan," Lavrov added.
On January 23, foreign ministers of EU member states approved the creation of a civilian mission in Armenia 'to promote a settlement in the Caucasus.' The mission's mandate provides for regular patrolling and reporting, 'which will strengthen the EU's understanding of the situation on the ground.' The mission is designed to last two years.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan welcomed the EU mission on his official Twitter account.
"We will readily cooperate with the mission and support its activities. This mission will contribute to the peace, stability and security of the region," Mirzoyan stated.
The Lachin corridor is the only road linking Armenia and Karabakh.
On December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijanis, who identified themselves as environmentalists, entered the corridor where a Russian peacekeeping contingent was also stationed. Baku stated that the purpose of that protest was not to block the road, and that civilian vehicles could move freely in both directions. At the same time, Yerevan accused Baku of provocation and an attempt to create a humanitarian disaster in the unrecognised republic.
On Thursday, February 23, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke on the issue of satisfaction by the UN International Court of Justice of Armenia's claim for the application of temporary measures related to the unblocking of the Lachin corridor.
The prime minister of Armenia stated that the International Court of Justice of the United Nations has stated the blocking of the Lachin corridor since December 12, recorded Azerbaijan's responsibility for this and called it to open the road.
Also, according to the prime minister, the court confirmed that the Lachin corridor should not be under the control of Azerbaijan, but under the control of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation, and pointed to the fact that there is a humanitarian crisis in Karabakh.
"The International Court of Justice unequivocally rejected Azerbaijan's claim for the application of a temporary measure against Armenia, with which Azerbaijan was accusing Armenia in mine laying. Thus, we can state that groundless accusations against Armenia about mining, which have been spreading on all international platforms for several months, have lost all meaning, and this is extremely important," Pashinyan said in a statement.
In turn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan reported that peaceful protests in the Lachin corridor are the legitimate right of the Azerbaijani people and do not create any obstacles to the movement of transport, and do not cause a humanitarian catastrophe.
"Since the beginning of the protests, more than a thousand vehicles using the road have provided residents with essential goods, medicines and necessary medical services. The Azerbaijani government has also repeatedly stated that it is ready to promptly meet all the humanitarian needs that the residents of Armenia may need," the ministry said in a statement.
The Azerbaijani diplomatic department also commented on the decisions of the UN International Court of Justice regarding the placement of landmines by Armenia, noting that 'Baku will continue to pursue for Armenia to be held accountable.'
In addition, according to Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev, Baku intends to achieve monitoring, reporting and stopping of mining in Karabakh.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry on December 23, peacekeepers are continuing the negotiation process with the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides on resuming unimpeded vehicular traffic on the Stepanakert-Goris road.
"Patrols were conducted along four routes in the Martakert, Martuni, Shusha districts and the Lachin corridor. The Peacekeeping mission convoy with humanitarian cargo was escorted along the Goris-Stepanakert route," the ministry claimed.