Armenia Has Consistently Supported the Idea of Stable Ceasefire Monitoring: Mnatsakanyan's Interview with Sputnik International

Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan gave an interview to Sputnik International.

Question: Recently, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the declaration made by the parties at the end of negotiations in Moscow implies the withdrawal of Armenian forces from Artsakh, adding that Baku expects a timeline for the withdrawal of those forces to be presented. How do you assess the statement made by the Azerbaijani President? Is Yerevan prepared to discuss the timeline for the withdrawal of Armenian forces from Artsakh with Baku?

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: In recent days, President Aliyev has made numerous misleading and contradictory statements that are not worthy of comment. We have the joint statement from October 10, which was reaffirmed on October 17 and October 25, and nothing beyond that has been agreed upon.

Question: Do you consider the deployment of Russian military observers as an effective mechanism to ensure the confirmation of the ceasefire regime?

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: Armenia has consistently supported the idea of stable ceasefire monitoring, which was introduced into the peace process by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group right after the April 2016 escalation. Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed on the expansion of the OSCE monitoring group and the establishment of a ceasefire investigation mechanism, but subsequently, Azerbaijan refused to implement this agreement. This shows that neither yesterday nor today has Azerbaijan shown interest in establishing a stable and verifiable ceasefire. Our position remains unchanged, and we support the deployment of observers.

Question: During your recent visit to Moscow, you mentioned that substantive consultations between Armenia and Azerbaijan are ongoing regarding the creation of verification mechanisms for the ceasefire in Artsakh, based on the agreements reached in the Russian capital. At what stage are these negotiations currently, and when do you expect these mechanisms to be implemented? What are the obstacles to this process? Is Armenia considering the possibility of a meeting with Azerbaijan in Moscow regarding the verification of the ceasefire soon, and if yes, what is the approximate date?

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: On October 10, the foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan reached an agreement on a joint statement, the successive provisions of which represent a roadmap for implementation. Therefore, three provisions need to be implemented immediately and unconditionally, which include a ceasefire, the development of criteria for the ceasefire regime, and the exchange of prisoners and bodies.

The main obstacle in the negotiations is Azerbaijan's reluctance to commit to a stable and verifiable ceasefire. Azerbaijan continues to refuse to implement verification mechanisms, while simultaneously pushing its long-standing position that allows for the abandonment of a stable ceasefire and the exchange of mutual accusations.

Question: According to various reports, a new group of Syrian mercenaries is expected to be transported to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone via Turkey. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to deny such claims. Do you have any information or evidence regarding the planned transfer of new militants from Syria?

Zohrab Mnatsakanyan: There is quite a lot of factual evidence regarding the presence of foreign militant terrorists from Syria and Libya and Turkey's continued transportation of them, as confirmed by intelligence from the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group and information coming from the conflict zone. No one, including Turkey, can claim that in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Turkey acts as an impartial or neutral party. Turkey views this conflict as an opportunity to expand its area of influence in another neighboring region, the South Caucasus, and this approach of utilizing the conflict and causing immense suffering to the people of the region must be countered, not encouraged.