Mutual recognition of Armenian, Azerbaijani territorial integrity important step towards peace in region - Pashinyan

YEREVAN. May 18 (Interfax) - The mutual recognition of territorial integrity by Armenia and Azerbaijan is an important step towards the finalization of the text of a bilateral peace agreement, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

"We stated at a meeting [of the heads of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the European Council] in Brussels on May 14 that Azerbaijan recognizes the Armenian territory of 29,800 square kilometers, while Armenia recognized the Azerbaijani territory of 86,600 square kilometers. I view this as an important step towards stability and peace in the region, the finalization of the text of a bilateral peace agreement, and border delimitation," Pashinyan said at a government meeting on Thursday.

The definition and approval of legally valid, specific terms of border delimitation should be the next step, he said.

"The process of dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, in cooperation with the international community, is significant for a real, comprehensive settlement of relations with Azerbaijan and enduring peace in the region. That will help expedite the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Pashinyan said.

He also noted the need for demilitarization of the border with Azerbaijan.

"Although some progress has been made at the negotiations, Azerbaijan continues to pursue the policy of escalation on the border with Armenia. Gunshots were fired and casualties were suffered on our borders in recent days. I'd like to stress once again that a mirrored withdrawal of forces from the border and its demilitarization become more than urgent against the backdrop of the May 14 agreements," Pashinyan said.

"Azerbaijan's illegal blocking of the Lachin corridor [connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia] indicates the existence of a legitimate need for international presence in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin corridor," he said.

"We are discussing this issue with all of our international partners," Pashinyan said.