Pashinyan Responds to Aliyev's Statement on Illegal Drug Trafficking

The primary issue is the signing of a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This was stated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during an online meeting of the leaders of the CIS member states.

“To achieve this goal, we consider it important to restore the negotiation process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. In recent months, the co-chairs have repeatedly emphasized the need to resume the peaceful resolution process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We note with satisfaction the meeting of the heads of the foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan that took place in New York amid the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. We welcome and are pleased to acknowledge the meeting of the foreign ministers that took place yesterday in Minsk, mediated by the Russian foreign minister. A crucial step would be the upcoming visit of the co-chairs to the region and Nagorno-Karabakh.

I would like to emphasize once again that Armenia is ready to work in all the directions I mentioned. We are convinced that solving all these issues will provide significant progress in creating conditions for long-term and sustainable peace in our region.

Additionally, I must mention that starting a dialogue aimed at normalizing relations with Turkey is another factor that could play a catalytic role in this matter. In this regard, I should also note that the Russian Federation has expressed its readiness to fully support this process.

Dear friends, I don’t think this platform is the right place to analyze our shared history. I would like to inform you that Armenia and Azerbaijan have submitted claims to the International Court of Hague, where the process is now underway. I believe that in the context of this process, all accusations that Armenia has can be put forward. In any case, we intend to do so and substantiate our position in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict process.

I cannot help but respond to the statement regarding illegal drug trafficking, which, as mentioned, is said to be “organized” by Armenia and Iran. I would like to emphasize that we cooperate very closely with Iranian law enforcement agencies and effectively combat illegal drug trafficking. I can also present figures showing that the number of arrests and seized drugs in drug trafficking cases has increased three, four, and even more times. This indicates that Armenian and Iranian law enforcement agencies cooperate very closely and effectively against illegal drug trafficking.

Dear colleagues, in concluding my remarks, and taking into account the presidency transfer from Minsk to Nur-Sultan, I wish Kazakhstan a successful presidency, in which I am sure both participating states and the Executive Committee of the CIS, under the esteemed Sergey Lebedev, are ready to contribute. Thank you for your attention,” he stated.