Russia prepared to mediate between Armenia, Azerbaijan: Lavrov

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Feb 2023 19:03

The Russian diplomat said that Russia would not insist on being a mediator but both parties are aware that it is prepared on assuming such a role.

Courtesy of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry

During a meeting with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday said that Russia is ready to facilitate peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that none of the parties have opposed the proposal so far.

"We confirmed our readiness to provide opportunities for the continuation of such meetings.... The Azerbaijani side is ready for this, the Armenian side has said that it also has no objections, but for now it has not given its final consent," Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

The Russian diplomat added that Russia would not insist on being a mediator but both parties are aware that it is prepared on assuming such a role.

Russia is ready to actively participate in the post-war reconstruction of Azerbaijani territories, said 🇷🇺 FM Sergey Lavrov at a meeting with 🇦🇿 FM Jeyhun Bayramov. pic.twitter.com/FQhnJXdwmE
— crossroads_am (@am_crossroads) February 28, 2023

No Checkpoint will be set up on the Lachin Corridor

On matters pertaining to the creation of checkpoints along the Lachin Corridor, Lavrov said that nowhere in the 2020 trilateral ceasefire agreement does it state that such a measure is required.

"It [the agreement] does not provide for the creation of any checkpoints," Lavrov said.

The trilateral ceasefire agreement refers to a deal signed between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 2020 to end all hostilities in the 44-day Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Lavrov said that the regime of the operation of the Lachin corridor must comply with this ceasefire in order to restore freedom of movement for civilians and civilian humanitarian cargo.

EU's Armenia border mission made things 'worse'

The two Foreign Ministers further discussed the repercussions of the EU's monitoring mission to Armenia (EUMA), noting that it had caused more damage than good in repairing diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"The EU is openly abusing its relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, noting that the mission "raises doubts in terms of its legitimacy... functions, mandate and duration."

The EU is abusing its relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia by promoting its civil mission on the territory of Armenia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.https://t.co/p5TWxcR0Lw
— Aze.Media (@aze_media) February 28, 2023

Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said "Armenia's position at normalization talks with Baku has become more destructive after the EU mission had been set up," and that the past two-month mission "failed to achieve its goals".

The Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Armenia to the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region, has been blocked since December 12, 2022.

On January 30, Armenia's representative on legal matters, Yeghishe Kirakosyan. accused Azerbaijan at the Hague's International Court of Justice (ICJ) of "ethnic cleansing" after Nagorno-Karabakh has been subjected to the blockade.

The Armenian official requested the ICJ order Azerbaijan to end the blockade and guarantee the complete return of a functional supply chain to the region, including goods and energy products, arguing that "this court is the last hope for the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh."

The International Court of Justice ordered Azerbaijan on February 23 to allow free travel along the only road connecting Armenia to the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, warning that Armenians face a food and medicine crisis.

At the same time, the top UN court, which rules on international disputes, stated that Baku failed to demonstrate that landmines purportedly planted by Yerevan particularly targeted Azerbaijanis.