In response to the proposal of the Azerbaijani president's office to hold a meeting between the representatives of Azerbaijan and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the latter’s foreign ministry informs that Artsakh adheres to its previously expressed position that such meetings can take place with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, at the same place as on March 1, on humanitarian, infrastructural, technical issues, and without their unnecessary politicization, Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) noted in a statement.

Also, the Artsakh MFA noted that the closure of the Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan and the continuation of the resultant humanitarian crisis in Artsakh are unacceptable and do not in any way contribute to the formation of a favorable atmosphere for negotiations.

The Artsakh MFA added that they are convinced that Azerbaijan should properly implement both the obligations it assumed by the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, as well as the requirements of the decision of the International Court of Justice, refraining from the use of force or the threat of force and unilateral, expansionist approaches. In that case, as per the Artsakh MFA, only favorable conditions will be created for further discussions.

As for the political issues of the settlement of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict, the Artsakh MFA recalls that Artsakh is committed to the negotiations aimed at the comprehensive settlement of the conflict, and these negotiations must take place in an internationally recognized and approved format, with equal rights of the parties and in the presence of international guarantees for the fulfillment of assumed obligations.