Azerbaijan Attempts to Question the Effectiveness of Peacekeeping Mission: Ararat Mirzoyan's Interview with RIA Novosti

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, gave an interview to the RIA Novosti news agency, which we present below.

What will be the foreign policy course of the new Armenian government? Will the tendency of strategic cooperation with Russia be maintained? Do you think there is a zone of distrust between the two countries, and has it been overcome?

The Republic of Armenia pursues a predictable, stable, and reliable foreign policy. Yerevan has repeatedly demonstrated its consistency in the development of Armenian-Russian strategic allied relations, both in word and in deed. I am confident that the peoples of our countries will continue the long-standing traditions of friendship, mutual trust, transparency, and full understanding.

The recently approved program of the government formed after the parliamentary elections in Armenia reaffirms the willingness to practically reinforce Armenian-Russian allied relations in all sectors. We will continue to expand and deepen our cooperation with Russia in all directions of the interstate agenda.

We are hopeful that through joint efforts we will enrich our cooperation with new achievements in political, trade-economic, and other areas, as well as through manifestations of constructive cooperation in international and regional platforms and significant progress in security, military, and military-technical fields.

How realistic is the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan in the near future? Is it possible for this document to include provisions recognizing each other's territorial integrity?

The Republic of Armenia has repeatedly stated at the highest level that it is ready to resume the peaceful resolution process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on well-known principles, namely the non-use of force or the threat of force, equal rights of peoples, the right to self-determination, and territorial integrity. After the signing of the trilateral statement on November 9, the co-chairs have made several statements. The Armenian side welcomed these statements, considering them a roadmap for establishing peace in the region.

The non-fulfillment of obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement of November 9, primarily regarding the immediate repatriation of all prisoners of war and other detained individuals, the incursion of Azerbaijani forces into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, as well as Azerbaijan's territorial claims against Armenia and the overall constant aggressive rhetoric of the Azerbaijani authorities do not contribute to the establishment of an atmosphere that promotes long-term and sustainable peace in the region.

The Armenian side will consistently advance the realization of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and to live freely and with dignity in their homeland.

When will the negotiations on delimitation and demarcation of borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan begin? Will the trilateral format with the participation of Russia be maintained, or will other mediating countries from the Minsk Group, or international organizations such as the UN or OSCE, be involved in this process?

There are currently no negotiations on delimitation and demarcation. At this point, discussions are being held, the results of which will show the degree of agreement capacity of the official Baku, as well as its readiness to abandon the policy of initiating an artificial agenda in gross violation of the norms and principles of international law. If Azerbaijan adopts a constructive position and withdraws its troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia, that is, returns to the positions held as of May 11 this year, then favorable conditions will be created for the beginning of the delimitation and demarcation process.

These discussions are taking place with the direct participation of the Russian side, and we hope that the resolution of this issue will be possible during such discussions where there will be no need to turn to the structures you mentioned.

Is there a possibility of holding a trilateral summit between the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan?

Peace and stability in the region are our long-term strategy. We welcome the mediation efforts of Russia in this regard, including the resumption of negotiations for the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.

It is clear to everyone that the use of force cannot be a resolution of the conflict, the definitive, comprehensive, and sustainable solution to which must be based on the elements and principles known to the parties developed by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. This is not only the position of Armenia but also that of Russia, France, and the United States, which act in a unified format of co-chairmanship. This is the position of the international community.

The Prime Minister of Armenia has proposed to deploy Russian border guards along the border with Azerbaijan and an CSTO observer mission. Are there ongoing specific negotiations regarding these proposals? Has the Russian side expressed interest regarding this matter?

Since May 12 of this year, we have faced a situation where Azerbaijani armed units entered the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, which is fraught with explosive consequences. This is unacceptable, and the situation must be resolved by the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Azerbaijani armed units from the territory of Armenia.

In this context, the initiatives regarding border guards and an observer mission in the relevant border areas of Armenia should be viewed as steps aimed at deterring the military ambitions of the Azerbaijani side and preventing bloodshed.

Does the Armenian side expect an extension of the deployment of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh? Are there currently negotiations aimed at securing the indefinite deployment of the Russian peacekeeping force?

The direct involvement of Russia has played a key role in stopping the Azerbaijani aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in the adoption of the trilateral statement by the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020, aimed at ceasing fire and all hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. According to this statement, the five-year term for the deployment of peacekeeping forces is automatically extended unless one of the parties declares its intention to terminate the implementation of this provision in advance. The presence of Russian peacekeepers plays a very important role in ensuring the safety and right to life of the people of Artsakh, as explicitly stated in the Armenian government's recently approved program for 2021-2026.

However, it is necessary to note that Azerbaijan has not only not yet signed the mandate of the peacekeepers but has also been conducting intense anti-propaganda against the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, Azerbaijan is constantly attempting to undermine the necessity and effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission.

In this context, the incidents of Armenian servicemen being taken captive in the responsibility zones of the peacekeepers should also be considered.

When could a UNESCO mission arrive in Nagorno-Karabakh? Baku claims that Armenia is opposed to such a mission and is obstructing it in every way. How do you comment on this statement?

The urgent need for the immediate implementation of a UNESCO assessment mission arose to protect the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in areas that fell under Azerbaijani control as a result of the 44-day war in 2020 from complete destruction. Both during military operations and after the cessation of hostilities, many documented cases of deliberate destruction and vandalism of Armenian churches and other cultural and religious monuments by Azerbaijani armed forces, carried out on instructions from the highest command of Azerbaijan, have been reported. It was to conceal these cultural crimes that Azerbaijan long obstructed the visit of UNESCO experts while simultaneously blaming Armenia for it. The practice of creating obstacles for the carrying out of the mission and politicizing the issue by the Azerbaijani authorities continues even now. I would like to remind you that in December 2020, the Deputy Director-General for Culture of UNESCO stated that Azerbaijan does not give consent for the mission's deployment.

The cultural and religious heritage of Artsakh, under the threat of destruction, needs the urgent attention of the international community to ensure its proper protection and to prevent incidents of vandalism.

Armenia is interested in the implementation of the UNESCO mission as soon as possible and continues to make targeted efforts in this direction.