Yerevan declares commitment to soonest possible finalization of peace deal with Baku

YEREVAN. Sept 7 (Interfax) - Yerevan is prepared to work actively to sign a peace agreement with Baku, and it is willing to discuss efficient mechanisms to rule out risks of escalation, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

"Armenia has no territorial claims on Azerbaijan and expects the same from Azerbaijan, which has not yet publicly reaffirmed its commitment to these agreements [on mutual recognition of territorial integrity]. Armenia is not interested in a military escalation. It proposed in the past and is proposing mechanisms for ruling out such risks, which have still not been answered, and it stands ready to discuss implementing other efficient mechanisms, as well," the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Yerevan stands ready to "continue active efforts to finalize the work on a draft agreement on peace and settling relations with Azerbaijan, and to sign it as soon as possible," it said.

"Armenia remains committed to an agenda of peace and stability in the South Caucasus, [and] at the same time stresses the need for analogous rhetoric and practical efforts on Baku's part. Obviously, the blockade of the Lachin corridor, the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, and the absence of a dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert within an international mechanism are not conducive to improving the atmosphere in the region," it said.

Earlier on Thursday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Yerevan remained committed to the agreements reached in Brussels on December 14, 2021, in Prague on October 6, 2022, and in Brussels in May 2023, as well as the trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020.

"The Baku-Stepanakert dialogue conducted as part of the international mechanism to ensure the rights and security of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians and the unblocking of the Lachin corridor in accordance with the International Court of Justice's rulings of February 22 and July 6, 2023, are essential. On that basis, Armenia is ready and willing to conclude a peace agreement and settle relations with Azerbaijan. We reaffirm our commitment to the peace agenda," Pashinyan said.

He also said the military and political situation in the region was becoming worse.