Armenia’s Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian today had a phone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg.

During the phone talks, the foreign ministers also exchanged views on the Armenia-European Union partnership and the timetable of the upcoming actions of the Eastern Partnership. Minister Aivazian emphasized that the effective implementation of the Armenia-European Union Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement will create new opportunities for the deepening of cooperation with the EU and EU member states.

In the context of regional security and stability issues, Minister Aivazian told his Austrian counterpart about the humanitarian situation created in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) following the Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression and Azerbaijan’s failure to fulfill the commitments assumed under the statement of November 9, 2020, particularly with regard to the repatriation of prisoners of war and other persons being kept in Azerbaijan.

Ministers Aivazian and Schallenberg attached importance to taking actions to preserve the historical and cultural heritage and places of worship in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Touching upon the security challenges in the OSCE region, including in the context of conflicts, the parties expressed concern about the engagement and transfer of terrorist militants and mercenaries.

The foreign ministers also attached importance to addressing the issues on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the scope of the Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group.