Azerbaijan's Proposal to Meet with Artsakh Representatives Addressed by Artsakh Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry of Artsakh has issued a statement regarding Azerbaijan's proposal to hold a meeting with representatives of the Republic of Artsakh.

“In connection with the latest proposal from the Azerbaijani presidential administration for a meeting to be held in Baku in early April between Azerbaijani and Artsakh representatives, we find it necessary to reaffirm the principled position of the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh regarding possible discussions, their organizational methods, and objectives.

The Republic of Artsakh has always advocated and continues to advocate for the peaceful, negotiated resolution of all existing issues through dialogue. We have never shied away from contacts with the Azerbaijani side, as evidenced by the meetings held between representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan under the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Artsakh.

The conditions expressed by the Azerbaijani side regarding the venue and agenda of the meeting, as well as the context in which this proposal has been presented, indicate that the goal of the Azerbaijani authorities is not a genuine discussion of the existing problems but rather the disruption of potential dialogue or the imposition of their political agenda through coercion, blockade, unbearable living conditions, and the use of military force.

In this regard, we find it important to remind that three days ago, on March 25, the Azerbaijani armed forces grossly violated the provisions of the trilateral statement from November 9, 2020, crossing the contact line and advancing into the territory of the Republic of Artsakh towards the Stepanakert-Lisagor unpaved road. Moreover, on March 27, the Azerbaijani armed forces attempted once again to regain control over this road, which is the only vital communication link between the communities of the Shushi region and other locales of the republic amid blockade conditions.

We reaffirm our willingness, in accordance with the already established practice of previous meetings, to meet with Azerbaijani representatives in Artsakh, under the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping mission and at their place of command, to discuss ensuring the normal functioning of the Artsakh population and the proper implementation of the obligations assumed by the parties, specifically regarding the uninterrupted operation of the Lachin Corridor.

In this context, we prioritize the reopening of the only road connecting Artsakh to Armenia through the Lachin Corridor and addressing the urgent humanitarian, infrastructural, and other issues resulting from the blockade. The authorities of Artsakh are also open to discussions on other matters aimed not at imposing ready-made solutions from the Azerbaijani side but at seeking mutually acceptable solutions directed at stabilizing the situation and preventing further escalation of tensions.

We once again emphasize that the continuation of the blockade of the Lachin Corridor and the escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh are unacceptable and do not contribute to creating a favorable atmosphere for dialogue. We are convinced that only Azerbaijan’s proper fulfillment of its international obligations—as per the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement, as well as the International Court of Justice’s ruling on February 22, 2023—can testify to Azerbaijan’s willingness and interest in resolving issues through dialogue and negotiations without coercion and the use of force.

We stress once again the inadmissibility of politicizing the resolution of technical and humanitarian issues, and emphasize that the political issues regarding the resolution of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict should be discussed within an agreed-upon and internationally recognized negotiation format, based on the equality of the parties and the presence of firm guarantees for the fulfillment of their obligations.