Militant Rhetoric has Become an Integral Part of Azerbaijani Leadership’s Daily Speech: Mirzoyan

During a working visit to Greece, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan made a statement for the press alongside Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“I provided my colleague with a detailed overview of the situation surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Armenia's position regarding processes aimed at establishing regional peace and stability, as well as negotiations on normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I addressed the regional economic ties and the unblocking of transport infrastructures, the work of the demarcation and border security commissions, as well as the overall processes of the peace agreement. I emphasized the key role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in advancing the peace process aimed at resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia highly appreciates Greece's position in support of the OSCE Minsk Group's framework and its mandate for resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank my good friend Nikos Dendias, who visited Yerevan during the 44-day war, expressing Greece’s and the Greek people’s support during that critical period. We truly will never forget such a gesture from a strategic partner.

Dear colleagues, it is regrettable to note that more than a year and a half after the ceasefire, Azerbaijan continues its provocative actions against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, and the militant, supremacist rhetoric has unfortunately become an inseparable part of the Azerbaijani leadership's daily discourse. Violating international humanitarian law and the obligations assumed under the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian prisoners of war and civilians captive, while the fates of hundreds of missing persons, including dozens forcibly disappeared, remain unresolved.

All civilized countries—let me repeat, all civilized countries—must use every possible opportunity to advocate for Azerbaijan to return all our prisoners.

Dear attendees, throughout its millennia-long history, the Armenian people have created magnificent churches, monuments, and landmarks that are an integral part of the cultural heritage of all humanity. Unfortunately, today, part of this heritage is under threat of imminent destruction. Due to the state policy of the Azerbaijani authorities, we have desecrated churches, shattered monuments, and sites purged of Armenian identity in areas that have fallen under Azerbaijani control. Unlike many other similar unacceptable cases, we cannot claim that the world is silent; indeed, the world is speaking and expressing itself very clearly. A vivid example of this is the decision made by the UN International Court of Justice in December 2021 regarding the urgent measures to compel Azerbaijan to halt this policy.

We expect a clear, address-specific, and continuous response from the international community regarding this behavior, and we emphasize the urgency of involving relevant international organizations in Nagorno-Karabakh, especially the implementation of a UNESCO fact-finding mission, which would be a crucial step in preserving this heritage.

And, of course, I want to once again emphasize that peace is our principle, our policy, and our strategy. We truly strive to build a peaceful, secure, and stable South Caucasus, and we hope that our neighbor will cease its supremacist ambitions and adopt a more constructive stance on all issues,” he stated.