Lavrov: Lachin road intended only for humanitarian cargo transportation
Read on the website Vestnik KavkazaThe Lachin road should only be used for transportation of humanitarian cargo, Sergei Lavrov recalled following talks with Jeyhun Bayramov. He noted that its use should be fully consistent with the 2020 tripartite statement. The Russian Foreign Minister also condemned the EU mission in Armenia.
The Lachin road should only be used for transportation of humanitarian cargo, the Russian Foreign Minister said following talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart in Baku.
Sergey Lavrov stressed that the regime of travel on the Lachin road must comply with the tripartite statement of November 9-10, 2020, which means that it can only be used for transportation of humanitarian cargo, as well as civilians. The FM explained that Russia is currently working on these issues.
The diplomat recalled that the Lachin road doesn’t envisage the establishment of any checkpoints. At the same time, Lavrov drew attention that it is possible to remove suspicions about the use of the corridor by technical means. The minister added that this issue was also discussed today.
Lavrov on the EU mission in Armenia
The diplomat also commented on the EU's long-term civilian mission, which has recently started operating in Armenia.
"We see how the European Union is openly abusing its relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan, including advancing its so-called mission, which raises serious doubts from the point of view of legitimacy." Sergey Lavrov said.
Russia will not insist on Armenia's participation in the trilateral meeting
Lavrov also announced Russia's readiness to provide a platform for holding trilateral meetings between the foreign ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Armenia has not stated a clear position on holding a meeting in Moscow with the Azerbaijani side, he said. Such an agreement has already been received from Baku, the Armenian side does not refuse, but it has not stated a clear position either, Lavrov stressed.
"I don't think that we will be too persistent in offering our services, but both sides are well aware of them," Sergey Lavrov added.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister recalled that Armenia demonstrates an unconstructive position towards the work on the peace treaty, but Baku is striving for a real result and therefore will use every opportunity to reach progress.
"The sooner the Armenian side returns to the negotiating table, the better it will be for the peace process," Jeyhun Bayramov said.
Speaking about the presence of the EU in Armenia, the Azerbaijani minister noted that the sending of the first, short-term mission was agreed with Baku, not the current one.
Bayramov clarified that Armenia's position on the normalization of relations with Azerbaijan has become more destructive after the start of the EU mission.
Azerbaijan's position on the Lachin road
The Azerbaijani minister drew attention to the fact that Yerevan ignored the requirements of the November 9-10 tripartite statement of the Russian, Azerbaijan and Armenia leaders on the Lachin road.