Ara Ayvazyan Meets with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing Countries' Ambassadors in Armenia

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Ara Ayvazyan, received the representatives of the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group on January 20. The meeting included the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kopyrkin, French Ambassador Jonathan Lacôte, and U.S. Ambassador Lynn Tracy. This was reported by the Information and Public Diplomacy Department of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agenda of the meeting focused on issues related to the post-war situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, regional security, and peace. The need to resume the peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship was emphasized.

Minister Ayvazyan underscored the necessity for the comprehensive implementation of the fundamental principles of conflict resolution, particularly highlighting the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and security.

Presenting the progress regarding the implementation of the November 9 statement on the establishment of a ceasefire and the deployment of peacekeepers in Artsakh, Minister Ayvazyan specifically highlighted the priority of addressing humanitarian issues comprehensively and without interruption, particularly regarding the return of prisoners of war, hostages, and other detained individuals.

The Foreign Minister and the ambassadors exchanged views on the humanitarian situation in Artsakh and the efforts being made to address the needs of the Armenian population there. In this regard, the importance of the involvement of international organizations, particularly the UN and its specialized agencies, on the ground was emphasized.

Minister Ayvazyan also drew the attention of his interlocutors to the urgency of taking steps to preserve Armenian historical, cultural, and religious heritage in areas under Azerbaijani control, given Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to destroy or distort the Armenian cultural and religious heritage.

Various issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.