Russian Side Stresses Urgent Need to Unblock Lachin Corridor in Trilateral Talks

Moscow played host to a significant trilateral meeting on July 25, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov engaged in talks with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov. The discussions revolved around the de-escalation of tensions in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and a comprehensive evaluation of joint initiatives aimed at normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These initiatives align with the provisions outlined in the tripartite declarations made by the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Central to the talks was the pressing matter of swiftly unblocking the Lachin Corridor to restore normalcy to the lives of Artsakh's population. The Russian side, underscoring the urgency, called for prompt action to alleviate the impact of the corridor's blockade. The foreign ministers reiterated the paramount importance of advancing efforts across various dimensions of the tripartite agreements. These dimensions encompass the unblocking of transportation links, the delineation of Armenia-Azerbaijan border, collaborations among civic activists and experts, and the initiation of parliamentary dialogue.

Of particular focus was the negotiation of a comprehensive peace treaty between Yerevan and Baku, with a determined emphasis on overcoming the prevailing differences.

During the Lavrov-Bayramov bilateral meeting, the agenda delved into critical bilateral issues. Both ministers voiced their endorsement for the revival of collaboration under the "3+3" regional consultative platform.

Concurrently, the meeting between Lavrov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan delved into current matters concerning the Armenian-Russian relationship. This encompassed an assessment of economic and humanitarian dimensions. The deliberations yielded an agreement to sustain effective cooperation within the framework of collective integration unions, including the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

The trilateral meeting underscores the commitment of the involved parties to engage in purposeful dialogue and collaboratively address regional concerns, laying the groundwork for potential resolutions and enhanced cooperation moving forward.