Armenian, Russian Foreign Ministers talk Karabakh in Moscow

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and humanitarian and economic issues with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow Thursday, April 1.

"The sides discussed the implementation of the November 9, 2020, and January 11, 2021 agreements of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia. Special attention was paid to pressing issues of humanitarian response in Nagorno-Karabakh, and unblocking of trade and transport ties in the region," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement.

According to information provided by the Armenian side, Minister Aivazian stressed the need for the immediate repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and persons held hostage by Azerbaijan in gross violation of Baku's obligations under the trilateral statement.

Aivazian also stressed the importance of taking urgent measures to preserve the Armenian cultural heritage in territories that have come under Azerbaijan's control.

During the recent military hostilities, Azerbaijani forces launched two targeted attacks on the Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi. Azerbaijan earlier "restored" a church by replacing its Armenian inscription with glass art. Furthermore, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev visited the region of Hadrut in territories occupied by Azerbaijan and declared his intention to "renovate" a 12th century Armenian church, which he claimed to "an Albanian church". Aliyev went so far as to accuse Armenians of leaving "fake inscriptions" in the Armenian language.

The Ministers also exchanged opinions on issues of bilateral cooperation, including contacts on high and the highest levels, as well as preparations ahead of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two states.

"The sides reviewed individual issues of international agenda that pose mutual interest," the Ministry said.

Earlier on Thursday, Lavrov also met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ceyhun Bayramov.