Lavrov: There is Prime Minister Pashinyan's Signature on the Opening of Communications in the Region

Russia advocates for the prompt signing of a peace treaty and the unblocking of communications. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with 'First Channel'.

“We are in favor of the rapid signing of a peace treaty and the unblocking of communication routes. Unfortunately, it is the Armenian leadership that is sabotaging the agreement that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has signed concerning communications through Armenia's Syunik region. It is difficult to understand the rationale behind such a position,” Lavrov said.

According to him, the foundation laid within the framework of trilateral meetings and documents remains completely relevant.

Regarding the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Lavrov noted that the key is to adhere to the spirit and letter of the trilateral agreements reached by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia between 2020 and 2022. He emphasized that these agreements address all aspects of the situation, as well as the issues that must be resolved to fully and finally settle the matter.

According to point 9 of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, “all economic and transport links in the region will be unblocked. Armenia guarantees the security of the transport communication between Azerbaijan's western regions and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, ensuring unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles, and cargo in both directions. The transport communication will be monitored by the Russian Federal Security Service Border Guard units.”

Earlier, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Armenian authorities have expressed support for the opening of regional communication routes based on the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction, equality, and reciprocity. There have also been no objections from the Azerbaijani side to such an approach. This issue has been closely examined within the trilateral working group involving the Deputy Prime Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia; however, due to the Armenian side's position, the process is currently “stalled.”

Prior to this, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Armenia does not wish to deploy Russian border guards along the route leading from Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan through Syunik.