Sergey Lavrov and Jean-Yves Le Drian Discuss the Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

The foreign ministers of Russia and France, Sergey Lavrov and Jean-Yves Le Drian, have discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to Armenpress, citing the press service of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lavrov and Le Drian examined the state of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, as well as the mediation efforts undertaken by Russia to ensure a complete cessation of all military operations and hostilities in the conflict zone.

“The ministers emphasized the importance of ensuring the implementation of the provisions of the trilateral statement signed on November 9 by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. For this purpose, collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UN agencies, and UNESCO is of special significance. Lavrov clarified the parameters of Russian peacekeepers' participation as well as the functions of the Inter-Agency Center for Humanitarian Response.

The ministers agreed that the main priorities at present are the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees, the unblocking of economic and transport communications in the region, the provision of humanitarian assistance, and the restoration of civilian infrastructure.

The leaders of the Russian and French foreign ministries exchanged views on further steps towards the long-term and comprehensive settlement of the crisis surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, based on the agreed principles within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and taking into account the equal interests of the Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples,” the statement noted.