YEREVAN. - Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian on Thursday received a delegation led by Toivo Klaar, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, the Foreign Ministry informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The interlocutors touched upon a wide range of regional security and stability issues.

Minister Aivazian briefed EU Special Representative Klaar on the steps being taken to address the humanitarian situation in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), underscoring the direct involvement of international partners.

In the context of the implementation of the provisions of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement and the humanitarian issues that need to be addressed urgently, the Armenian Foreign Minister drew the EU Special Representative's attention to Azerbaijan's non-fulfillment of its respective obligations by continuing to hold Armenian POWs and civilians captive.

Both sides highlighted the protection of religious and cultural heritage sites in the conflict zone, including with appropriate international engagement.

Minister Aivazian stressed that the policy of Armenophobia promoted by the top leadership of Azerbaijan, and which is reflected also in the targeting of Armenian Christian heritage and the "demonstrations" glorifying Azerbaijan’s war crimes, is a direct challenge to international efforts for regional peace and stability.

EU Special Representative Klaar, in turn, presented his impressions from his visit to the border provinces of Armenia. In this connection, both sides stressed the importance of full protection of the rights of the population of the border areas.