Pashinyan calls for direct Karabakh-Azerbaijan dialogue

PanARMENIAN.Net - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Thursday, June 22 that the international mechanism of dialogue between Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) and Azerbaijan should be launched after all.

According to Pashinyan, said mechanism is a component of a solution of the current situation in the region, which would tackle the issue of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Another step, he said, is the implementation by Azerbaijan of the legally binding decision of the International Court of Justice from February 22, ordering Azerbaijan to unblock the Lachin corridor – the only route connecting Karabakh to Armenia – which has been closed since December 12.

“As for Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, our position remains the same: we must make every effort to establish peace and conclude an agreement on the normalization of relations. Next week, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will take place in Washington, and our delegation is leaving for the United States with this in mind,” he said.

“Armenia also proposed to Azerbaijan to hold a meeting of the delimitation commission, and there is an agreement in principle to hold the meeting. Armenia is also ready to unblock the transport and economic routes of the region as soon as possible under the principles of sovereignty, jurisdiction and reciprocity of the parties. Thank you."