Negotiation Proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Remain on the Table: First Phase to Involve the Release of 5 Regions, Lavrov

The political resolution of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is possible, and the proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group remain on the negotiating table. This was stated by the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with Russian media.

“Of course, a political resolution is possible. The proposals developed and continuing to be developed by the co-chairs remain on the negotiating table, and their substance is already known: it involves a phased and gradual release of the regions around Nagorno-Karabakh while maintaining and securing guarantees for the security of the region, before the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh is determined and a reliable connection is established between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said.

In response to a clarifying question about what he meant by a reliable connection with Armenia, specifically whether he was referring to two regions, including the Lachin corridor, Lavrov noted: “All agreements discussed recently and accepted by both sides implied that the first phase would foresee the release of 5 regions, and in the second phase, the preservation of two regions while determining the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. During the first phase, all communications, economic ties, and transport links should be blocked, and peacekeepers should be deployed to ensure the cessation of hostilities. The mechanism for deploying peacekeepers should be introduced into the actual line of contact; it is not the 5 regions that are to be transferred in the first phase according to the proposals. Now, if not peacekeepers, then military observers should be there. It would be appropriate if they were our military observers; however, the final decision rests with the parties involved.”