Emotional Statements from Both Sides Do Not Help the Work: Lavrov

Russian Prime Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed today during a joint press conference with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office that humanitarian issues were discussed during the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in April. He outlined the areas where progress was expected: the exchange of detained persons, the exchange of deceased bodies, and reciprocal visits of journalists. According to Lavrov, all of these measures would help de-escalate tensions and create conditions for negotiations.

Regarding journalists, he stated that dialogue continues through the OSCE Secretary-General’s office, and there is hope for progress. However, concerning the exchange of detained persons, Lavrov mentioned that the expectations are not very optimistic, but the work continues.

“Of course, emotional statements from both sides do not help this work,” Lavrov said. He emphasized that the upcoming OSCE events should create opportunities to reduce tensions. “Statements that assert that the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh can only be resolved in this or that way likely do not contribute to the matter. The continued efforts of the co-chairs are necessary to bring positions closer and create a compromise solution,” added the Russian Foreign Minister.

It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani side frequently makes statements about its preconditions regarding how the Nagorno-Karabakh issue should be resolved.

The question to which Lavrov is responding appears in the video at the 14:20 mark.