According to Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia have not complied with the ceasefire agreement for the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. “Armenia has not complied with many provisions of the ceasefire declaration and Russia has not ensured the full implementation of the declaration in line with its commitments,” Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry wrote in a statement posted on its website on Saturday (local time). ).
It said Moscow’s statement had also caused “disappointment and misunderstanding” and contradicted Russia’s support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday it was ready to organize a tripartite meeting with Armenia and Azerbaijan at ministerial level. That could be followed by a summit in Moscow to sign a peace treaty. Russia is a formal ally of Armenia, but it also maintains good relations with Azerbaijan.
Shortly before Azerbaijan’s declaration, EU Council President Charles Michel hosted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Brussels on Saturday. Michel demanded that the violence and harsh rhetoric stop to create a suitable environment for peace talks and normalization. “Real progress depends on the next steps that need to be taken in the near future,” said Michel. Local people need guarantees, especially about their rights and security.
In addition to the EU, the US also urges the warring parties to conclude a peace agreement. More recently, the foreign ministers of the US, Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Washington in late June.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been at loggerheads over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is inhabited mainly by Armenians. According to the United Nations, Nagorno-Karabakh, which is predominantly inhabited by Armenians, belongs to Azerbaijan. However, the enclave declared its independence from the Baku government in 1991. There have already been two wars with thousands of deaths. After six weeks of fighting that left more than 6,500 dead in 2020, Russia negotiated a ceasefire agreement that forced Armenia to cede large areas. Since then, there have been deadly clashes on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Tensions flared again this spring. Despite repeated attempts at negotiations, key agreements are still pending. Among other things, these are demarcation lines and prisoner exchanges.
Under the agreement, Russian troops are responsible for monitoring the ceasefire. These also protect the so-called Lachin Corridor, the only connection between the regional capital Stepanakert and Armenia. Azerbaijan blocked the road on Tuesday, sparking protests and fears of a supply crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. On Saturday, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Azerbaijan to reopen the road.