Russia is ready to share its expertise with Armenia and Azerbaijan on border delimitation and demarcation, as well as assist with humanitarian challenges stemming from years of conflict, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said during a briefing.
"We’re prepared to support our Azerbaijani and Armenian partners across all key areas of reconciliation," Zakharova stated. "We have strong experience in reopening transport and economic links, developed through the trilateral working group co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Our specialists are among the best in the post-Soviet space when it comes to border delimitation and demarcation, and we also possess unique cartographic resources. We’re ready to share these tools and help resolve longstanding humanitarian issues related to the conflict."
Zakharova noted that following Armenia’s recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan—formalized at the EU-led Prague summit in October 2022—and the subsequent changes on the ground in autumn 2023, the OSCE Minsk Group’s mandate has lost relevance. As such, she said, the related Minsk Conference structures should be dissolved.
"In our view, the most effective approach would be a joint proposal from Baku and Yerevan to formally dismantle these bodies," she said. "Russia remains committed to helping both sides overcome the remaining obstacles to signing a peace treaty, reopening transport and economic routes, settling humanitarian issues, and finalizing border delimitation."
Zakharova also reiterated Moscow’s offer to host peace talks: "We continue to affirm our readiness to provide a Russian platform for negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the full range of bilateral issues, including the conclusion of a peace agreement."
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials