Putin outlined priorities: The role of peacekeepers, border demarcation, humanitarian and cultural issues, transport (updated)

Moscow/11.01.21/Turan: During the meeting, Putin invited Aliyev and Pashinyan to discuss new steps in key areas of settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Today, it would be important, first, to outline the next steps in the key areas of settlement, noted in the joint statement of November 9 last year. I mean the issues related to the activities of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, clarification of demarcation lines, solution of humanitarian problems, protection of cultural heritage sites," said Putin.

The Russian leader noted that the task of "unblocking economic, trade and transport links in the region, opening borders" deserves special attention. "It is assumed that a special trilateral working group chaired by the vice prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia will deal with these issues," Putin said.

He expressed the hope that the negotiations "will take place in a businesslike atmosphere and will serve to ensure lasting peace, security and progressive socio-economic development in the region, in which we are all undoubtedly interested," he added.

The President stated that the agreements on Karabakh are being consistently implemented; this creates preconditions for the settlement of the conflict on a fair basis. "Today we can state with satisfaction that the trilateral agreements are being consistently implemented. In our opinion, this creates the necessary preconditions for a long-term and full-scale settlement of the long-standing conflict on a fair basis in the interests of both the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples," he said.

Putin stressed that Russia values ​​the partnership and good-neighborly relations linking all three countries. He thanked Aliyev and Pashinyan for their positive perception of Russia's active mediation. "We were in constant contact, together we were looking for a compromise. It was as a result of our joint efforts, after intensive, including, as you remember, nighttime telephone conversations, on November 9, a trilateral statement was agreed, which we signed with you," said the Russian leader.

Putin emphasized that in all its actions Russia sought to follow the key developments achieved in the OSCE Minsk Group. According to him, the Russian side continues to check its actions with partners and the chairman of the Minsk Group.

"The situation in the region is now calm. We are doing a lot for the safe return of internally displaced persons and refugees. Over 48 thousand people have already returned to Karabakh since November 14 (2020)," Putin said. With the mediation of Russia, the exchange of prisoners and the bodies of the dead was carried out. In addition, the International Center for Humanitarian Response is successfully operating, within the framework of which "pressing issues related to the establishment of a normal life in settlements, the reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, and the protection of historical, religious and cultural monuments are being resolved." -02D-

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2021 January 11 (Monday) 15:27:00

Putin-Aliyev-Pashinyan meeting has begun

Moscow/11.01.21/Turan: A trilateral meeting of the heads of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia began in Moscow at 15:00 Baku time.

Putin invited Aliyev and Pashinyan to discuss new steps in key areas of settlement in Karabakh. The agreements on Karabakh are being consistently implemented, this creates the preconditions for the settlement of the conflict on a fair basis, the TASS news agency quotes Putin.

According to him, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains calm, 48 thousand refugees have already returned to the region. A special trilateral group of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Armenia will deal with the issues of unblocking trade and economic ties in Karabakh, Putin said.

The meeting continues.-02D-