September 27, 2022 - 16:00 AMT
Pashinyan calls for int’l mission to regions affected by Azeri occupation

Azerbaijan’s actions cannot be described in any way other than “deliberate aggression”, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a statement after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, September 26.

“As a result of the Azerbaijani occupation, the situation in our region remains tense. I think that sending an international observation mission to the regions affected by the Azerbaijani occupation and the border zone will help the international community to receive direct and not mediated information, and will also become an important factor in stabilizing the situation,” the .

“I am convinced that the UN Security Council should also keep the issue in the focus, and I expect the support of the country holding the presidency on this matter.”

The Armenian PM weighed in on the “long-term solutions” of the situation, maintaining that it is necessary to sign the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty with the mutual recognition of the borders reaffirmed by the agreement of December 8, 1991.

“Armenia is ready for the opening of communications in the region and the construction of new communications, in accordance with the national legislation of the countries through which they pass,” he said.

“We also attach importance to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, which will guarantee the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. I think the start of Azerbaijan-Nagorno Karabakh discussions can be useful. In this context, I must emphasize the role of France as an OSCE Co-chair country.”

The latest round of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan began in the wee hours of September 13, when the Azerbaijani military attacked Armenian posts and shelled Armenian settlements both on the border and deep behind the frontline. At least 207 people are dead or missing as a result, the Security Council of Armenia said on Monday.