Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan today had telephone conversations with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia and France Sergey Lavrov and Jean-Yves Le Drian and US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun.

The foreign ministers exchanged views on the situation following the November 10 joint statement by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and the Presidents of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. In this regard, Minister Mnatsakanyan emphasized that the statement is targeted at the establishment of ceasefire and the deployment of peacekeepers in Artsakh and can’t be considered a comprehensive resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Armenian foreign minister and the top officials of the co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group also touched upon Turkey’s pivotal role in planning, inciting and implementing the war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh. Mnatsakanyan specifically ruled out Turkey’s role in the peacekeeping operations to be carried out in Artsakh.

Minister Mnatsakanyan attached importance to the international community taking speedy actions to address the humanitarian crisis created in Artsakh as a result of the Turkish-Azerbaijani military aggression. He also expressed deep concern over the fate of Armenian historical and cultural heritage in the territories of Artsakh that will be under Azerbaijani occupation and emphasized that the international community is well aware of the barbaric treatment by Azerbaijan of Armenian heritage.

The interlocutors underscored the importance of ensuring continuity of the efforts of the Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group as the only format with the international mandate for mediation and, in this regard, Mnatsakanyan emphasized that all issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process must only be discussed within the scope of the Co-Chairmanship and that the interests of the Armenians of Artsakh will be fully addressed in this format.

The foreign minister stressed the need for fully guaranteeing the status of Artsakh and comprehensive security of the Armenians of Artsakh as a priority.