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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on the sidelines of the CIS Foreign Ministers' Council Meeting, Astana, October 12, 2022

12 October 2022 18:56
2118-12-10-2022

Minister,

Colleagues,

We are happy to have another meeting on the sidelines of a number of events in Astana and to discuss the progress in our bilateral relations and our interaction on regional issues and in international organisations.

We consider regular personal contacts between our leaders useful. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are frequently in touch. This reflects the high level of our relations as allies and strategic partners. This year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We will continue to advance our time-tested relations in all areas without exception.

A few days ago the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Artur Simonyan paid an official visit to Moscow. He had wide-ranging talks with the Speakers of the two chambers of the Federal Assembly of Russia. Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin is to arrive in Yerevan shortly for the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council. I believe the economic agenda will be discussed in detail at its meeting.

There is clear positive momentum. In the first eight months of 2022, trade between our countries increased by almost 60 percent. There are good prospects for Russian and Armenian companies' plans.

Today we would certainly like to discuss how things are going in your negotiations with Azerbaijan. I know that very recently there were contacts in Europe. Media outlets are brimming with rumour and speculation. It would be important to see today what else we should do to fast-track implementation of the trilateral statements by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan of November 9, 2020, January 11, and November 26, 2021. Much has already been done, including the unblocking of economic and transport links. There are promising signs on delimitation issues. The normalisation of relations between our close neighbours and friends is fully in Russia's interests. We are ready to make our contribution to this process.

I am glad to see you.

***

I will add a few words. You raised an issue that needs to be clarified. As soon as Armenia requested an extraordinary CSTO summit, it was held. Decisions were made to have the CSTO Secretary General and the Chief of the Joint Staff visit the region. They went there and came back with recommendations which we have had for some time now.

The idea is to send a CSTO monitoring mission to Armenia on the border with Azerbaijan. The only thing that is needed is a decision by the Collective Security Council which must be convened by the Chairman of the Organisation which is the Republic of Armenia at present. As soon as you have free time, we will be ready to formally approve this mission, and it can start working. We will discuss the things that you just mentioned. I believe that these are important processes. Your sentiments should be understood here as well.