Mirzoyan: OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship plays key role in reaching comprehensive and lasting settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
YEREVAN, July 27, /ARKA/. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship plays a key role in reaching a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told Czech journalists July 26 after talks with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavsky in Prague.
Mirzoyan thanked the Czech side for its continued support to these efforts and the role the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship plays.
Mirzoyan said nearly two years after the secession of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, humanitarian issues remain unresolved as Azerbaijan continues to hold Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, using them as a political weapon.
‘Also, Azerbaijan’s policy of destruction, desecration of the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories fallen under Azerbaijani control is of great concern. In this regard, we expect a targeted response and practical action from the international community,” Mirzoyan said.
Mirzoyan said also that Armenia and Czechia have mutually beneficial cooperation within multilateral formats, including the UN, OSCE, CoE.
‘This is extensively complemented by the Armenia-EU cooperation with its milestone agreement - the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. We highly value the active role of the Czech Republic in promoting the framework of the Eastern Partnership and stand ready to join efforts in maintaining this cooperation platform in the spirit of mutual understanding, inclusiveness and a merit-based approach,’ Mirzoyan said.
Asked how is Armenia affected by sanctions on Russia Mirzoyan said: Of course, sanctions against Russia have their negative direct or indirect impact on Armenia’s economic development and economic situation in the region in general. Thus, we are trying to find short-term and mid-term solutions, mechanisms for addressing, and if possible eliminating these threats. And my hope is that we will succeed in this process.’-0-
