Foreign Ministry Clarifies Understanding Between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Milan

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the statement made by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, claiming there is an understanding with Armenia regarding the issue of Artsakh. In response to SHANTNEWS.am's inquiry about what understanding is being referenced, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:

“The agreements reached during the meeting of the heads of the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan within the framework of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan have been published by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Specifically, the statement following the meeting indicates that 'Zohreb Mnatsakanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov agreed to continue their meetings in the near future, maintaining the established dynamics.'

Another agreement was reached regarding a joint statement involving the foreign policy heads of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the leaders of the delegations from the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group. It has been a long time since such statements have been effectively accepted; however, an agreement on the text of the statement was achieved in Milan.

In his speech at the OSCE Ministerial Council on December 6, which was also published by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia referred to that statement, emphasizing that it is certainly encouraging that, following the meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan mediated by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, it was possible to reach an agreement on a common text and adopt a five-sided statement. He added that this statement reaffirms the importance of implementing the understanding reached in Dushanbe for intensively working towards further reducing tensions in the conflict zone and preparing the peoples for peace.

Maintaining a non-confrontational and non-hostile tone in public statements regarding such complex issues is already a positive development.”