Bayramov to Lavrov: demands of eco-activists are justified

Baku/17.01.23/Turan: On Tuesday, January 17, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister D.A.Bayramov.

Ministers discussed a number of topical issues on the bilateral and regional agenda, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

"The Russian side stressed the need to fully unblock traffic along the Lachin corridor as soon as possible in keeping with the parameters as set forth in the trilateral Summit Statement of November 9, 2020. It also emphasized the importance of reaching mutually acceptable solutions on all related issues in order to resume comprehensive work on key aspects of Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization based on the agreements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia," the press release of the Russian Foreign Ministry continues.

In turn, according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Bayramov stressed that the illegal economic activity in the territories of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is stationed, including the protests against the exploitation of natural resources and abuse of the Lachin road, is a legitimate right of Azerbaijani citizens. In particular, he noted the need to fulfill the justified demands of the protesters.

Also, Bayramov  noted the groundlessness of the allegations about the alleged closure of the Lachin road by Azerbaijan, the blockade of Armenian residents living in Azerbaijani territories, the emergence of a humanitarian crisis situation. In particular, it was stressed that the daily passage of dozens of vehicles, including those of the peacekeeping contingent, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Armenian ambulances along the Lachin road refutes the unfounded claims of the Armenian side.

At the same time, Bayramov noted that it is unacceptable that persons posing as “representatives” of Armenians living in Azerbaijani territories obstruct the use of the road by the population, thereby creating the impression of an artificial “blockade”, “humanitarian crisis".

During the telephone conversation, the parties exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.—06B-