Progress in the process of delimitation and demarcation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border will allow for significant progress in the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan. This is stated in the answers of the Russian MFA to the questions of the media, received on Friday for the press conference of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
It stresses that Moscow proceeds from the need to fully implement the trilateral agreements enshrined in the statements of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia on November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021. "The priority tasks today are to launch the process of delimitation and demarcation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border, as well as unblocking transport and economic ties in the region. Achieving progress in these areas will significantly advance the normalization of relations between Baku and Yerevan," the Russian MFA notes.
The foreign ministry also drew attention to the fact that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and most of the CIS countries, including Azerbaijan and Armenia. "With each of the countries, we are preparing a series of anniversary events. Taking into account that some of the events will be of cultural and educational nature, we assume that they will be of interest to the public," says the materials of the foreign ministry.
The MFA said that Moscow urged to start work on the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan as soon as possible. "We are making consistent efforts to resolve the situation on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, where, unfortunately, from time to time there are incidents with the use of weapons, there are human casualties. It is necessary to form and launch the work of a bilateral commission on the delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border with its subsequent demarcation as soon as possible. We are ready to provide advisory assistance to Baku and Yerevan in this process," the statement reads.
They added that Russia is also actively involved in the problem of the return of prisoners. As a reminder, since December 2, 2020, a total of 146 detainees have been returned with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers: 127 to the Armenian side and 19 - to the Azerbaijani side.
All external players willing to join the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and ensuring stability and security in the South Caucasus must act not by the zero-sum game, but proceed from the parties' interests and take into account the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, the ministry stressed.
On November 26, 2021, in Sochi, trilateral talks of the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and the Armenian prime minister were held on the occasion of the anniversary of the signing of the statement on the ceasefire and all military operations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Vladimir Putin, Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan agreed to take steps to improve stability and security on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border. They also intend to lead to the creation of a bilateral commission on the delimitation of the state border between the countries and its demarcation. Moscow will provide consultative assistance at the request of the parties.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
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Based on materials from TASS