«We Are Not Invited There». Lavrov on the Demarcation of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Border

Moscow is not involved in the work of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border demarcation commissions, despite the agreement. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a press conference dedicated to summarizing the results of Russian diplomacy in 2023.

“We have offered our services; moreover, the parties signed an agreement to create a demarcation commission in which the Russian side would participate as an advisor. We are not invited there,” Lavrov said.

He drew attention to the fact that the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, announced that the European Union would engage in demarcation, even though neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan has ever been part of the EU.

He emphasized that the European Union has no maps. The Russian Federation has maps, which is beneficial to the parties but not to the EU and the U.S., who also want to participate in the demarcation.

“Somehow they have come across maps from the USSR General Staff, and for that reason, they say ‘we don’t need Russians, we have maps.’ It seems a bit strange; these are big people, but they are playing a game of ‘who is the most significant’ and who can gain additional points on the international stage,” the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.

According to him, it is regrettable that Western selfish interests hinder the realization of the fundamental interests of both Armenia and Azerbaijan.