Yerevan and Baku study Moscow's proposals on de-escalation - Russian Foreign Ministry

Baku/04.08.23/Turan: Armenia and Azerbaijan have taken Russia's proposals on de-escalation of tension in the region "in house study". This was stated by Denis Gonchar, Director of the Fourth Department of CIS countries of the Russian Foreign Ministry, in an interview with TASS.

"The latest contacts at the level of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on 25 July in Moscow took place amid the extremely difficult situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Without disclosing sensitive details, I can say that compromise solutions to de-escalate the tension were proposed from our side, which the sides took to 'home study'," he said. - We believe that humanitarian considerations, concern for ordinary people will outweigh the political differences between Baku and Yerevan".

Gonchar also noted that the Russian side continues intensive mediation efforts on all tracks, including the unblocking of economic and transport communications in the region, launching the process of delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, agreement on a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, development of dialogue through representatives of the public and experts.

Not everything is moving as fast as we would like, but this is understandable given the array of problems and contradictions that have accumulated over the years of conflict," he continued.

As for the unblocking of economic and transport communications in the South Caucasus, these issues are being substantially discussed through the Trilateral Working Group (TWG) co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.  The last meeting of the TWG was held on 2 June in Moscow.

Following its results, the parties stated significant progress in unblocking transport communications between Azerbaijan and Armenia, in particular, a common understanding was reached on the implementation of concrete steps to restore railway communication on the route Yeraskh - Julfa - Meghri - Goradiz.

"During the trilateral meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Moscow on 25 July, this topic was also touched upon, and a wish was expressed on our side to move this work to the project stage as soon as possible."

As for the peace treaty, Gonchar believes that Azerbaijan and Armenia are not ready to conclude a peace treaty on any terms.

"Signals from Baku and Yerevan about readiness to achieve peace as soon as possible do not mean that the sides are ready to agree to any terms," he said.

The most important issue is ensuring security and respect for the universally recognised rights of Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian population within Azerbaijan's legal framework.

In doing so, the parties refer to the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration. At the same time, there is a need for a mechanism of international support for the implementation of the agreement, which would not call into question the sovereignty and independence of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Gonchar added.

"The Russian side energetically assists Baku and Yerevan in preparing this document, using political and diplomatic channels at all levels," Gonchar noted. -0-