Pashinyan and Putin met in Moscow

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that relations between Yerevan and Moscow are at a very high level, TASS reports.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that Russia plays a key role in ensuring security in the South Caucasus. He also noted that the Russian peacekeeping contingent ensures the security of Nagorno-Karabakh. The personal role of the President of the Russian Federation in the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh was emphasized.

Russia is Armenia's strategic partner, the two countries effectively cooperate in the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Pashinyan said. "As you said, this visit has not only practical, but also symbolic significance, because it is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, it shows that the relations between our countries are at a very high level. I hope that as a result of this visit, the dynamics will not only continue, but will become more effective. We are really in constant contact, we meet very often, we always have phone conversations, because the agenda of our bilateral relations is very saturated, practically in all spheres, starting from the economy, ending with culture, education, military-technical cooperation. Russia is a strategic partner of Armenia, we effectively cooperate in the Eurasian Economic Union, the CIS, the Collective Security Treaty Organization. It is no secret that Russia has a key role in ensuring security and stability in our region," Pashinyan said

The Prime Minister stressed the key role of Vladimir Putin in establishing a ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh in 2020. "Since, the Russian peacekeepers have been operating in Nagorno Karabakh. It should be emphasized that, in general, of course, the activities of the Russian peacekeepers provide security and it seems that we need to look at what can be done to make the peacekeepers' activities more effective. And, of course, the main political issue in our region is the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, I hope we will talk about that today as well," Pashinyan said.

The Prime Minister noted that his visit has a very full agenda, most of which is related to these negotiations. "I am sure we will be able to hold effective negotiations, thank you, I am very glad to see you," Pashinyan concluded.

Pashinyan and Putin issue a joint statement 

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement.

• The leaders stressed the importance of further implementation of the agreements reached between Yerevan and Moscow in the field of biosafety, including the 2021 agreement, including based on the May 6, 2021 Memorandum of Understanding on Ensuring Biological Safety. It has been confirmed that the territories of the two countries will not be allocated for use by third countries for the purpose of carrying out activities against each other’s interests in the field of biosafety.

• Recognizing the key role of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in ensuring regional security, considering Armenia’s ongoing presidency over the Organization, the Parties reaffirmed their readiness to intensify efforts to increase the capacity of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, including the CSTO Peacekeeping Forces and the Organization's crisis response mechanisms, to strengthen coordination and to support the expansion of CSTO partnering relations.

•  The Parties spoke in favor of further deepening of cooperation in the format of the Commonwealth of Independent States in all directions, including for the coordination of positions on current international issues, raising the level of socio-economic development of the Commonwealth member states, and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties.

• Pashinyan and Putin stressed the importance of intensifying the activity of the trilateral working group on the unblocking of all economic ties and transport routes in the South Caucasus, jointly chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia.

• The Parties agreed to speed up the establishment of a bilateral commission on demarcation and security in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border area in accordance with the trilateral agreement of November 26, 2021 with the consultative assistance of the Russian Federation at the request of the Parties.

• The Parties agreed to intensify the trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan aimed at supporting the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the region in general.

• The leaders welcomed the normalization process of the Armenian-Turkish relations launched with the Russian support.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan is ready to start negotiations on a peace treaty with Armenia

Azerbaijan is ready to start negotiations on a peace treaty with Armenia, Ilham Aliyev said at a meeting with Toivo Klaar in Baku, TASS reports.

"I think the official starting point took place on April 6 in Brussels (at a meeting between Nikol Pashinyan and Ilham Aliyev mediated by EU President Charles Michel - ed.). Since that day, we have been working, the Foreign Ministry has been working, my staff has been in touch with your team, and, as we agreed, we are ready to launch," Aliyev said.

According to interfax.az, speaking about Azerbaijan's five proposals to Armenia, he said: "We positively assess the relevant statements of the Armenian side in this regard. Now is the time for both sides to prove the seriousness of their [intentions] at the negotiating table." Aliyev said that Baku has high hopes for the efforts of the European Union, especially President Charles Michel "who is already actively involved in this process."

"He is already well acquainted with the process. I think this creates a very promising environment for successful negotiations," the Azerbaijani President said.

Other News

• Charles Michel touched upon the telephone conversation with Pashinyan

• No violations were recorded in the area of responsibility of peacekeepers in the NK. RF MoD