Armenia's rhetoric, provocations derail peace efforts, says FM PHOTO

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov received on September 7 the special representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry for the normalisation of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations Igor Khovaev.

The meeting focused on the peace process between Baku and Yerevan, as well as the current situation in the region, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's press service reported.

Bayramov said the statements, rhetoric, and provocations of the Armenian side, undermining the peace agenda, are directed against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and derail the efforts and initiatives aimed at establishing lasting peace in the region.

He added that despite Baku's commitment to the normalisation process, Yerevan's interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan is unacceptable.

Bayramov noted that Armenia’s refusal of the proposal for intensifying the use of the Lachin road in parallel with the opening of the Agdam-Khankendi road simultaneously with its unfounded claims about a  “tense humanitarian situation” and “blockade” in the region indicates that the situation is not humanitarian, but rather political of nature.

The importance of condemnation of such steps by the international community was addressed by the Azerbaijani minister, especially in the context of increasing political and military provocations by the Armenian side against Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, views were also exchanged on other issues of mutual interest.