Mirzoyan and Lavrov Meet: What Did They Discuss?

On September 5, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a working visit to Moscow. This was reported by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Mirzoyan expressed condolences regarding the victims of the explosion near the Russian Embassy in Afghanistan and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

During the meeting, Ararat Mirzoyan and Sergey Lavrov discussed several issues regarding the further development of the Armenian-Russian strategic partnership and allied relations, including cooperation in trade, economy, and cultural fields.

Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance, the parties expressed satisfaction with the active dialogue established at all levels, including the highest, as well as close cooperation within the frameworks of the CSTO, EAEU, CIS, and other international organizations.

The interlocutors addressed a wide range of regional security and stability issues. They exchanged views on the delimitation and border security issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as on the efforts to unblock economic and transport infrastructures in the region.

In detail, they discussed the normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and issues concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of Russian efforts, including those under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group, aimed at achieving a lasting and comprehensive resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

They reaffirmed the importance of implementing the agreements reached in the trilateral statements of November 9, 2020, January 11, 2021, and November 26, 2021.

The role of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh was highlighted, especially regarding the reinforcement of the ceasefire regime in the conflict zone, prevention of provocations, and ensuring the security and living conditions of the ethnic Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Addressing the humanitarian issues arising from the 44-day war, Ararat Mirzoyan stressed the need for the prompt repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and other detained persons, as well as the preservation of Armenian historical and cultural heritage in areas that came under Azerbaijani control.

Ministers Mirzoyan and Lavrov discussed the organization of the upcoming state visit of the President of the Russian Federation to Armenia and the session of the CSTO Collective Security Council to be held in Yerevan.