Baku, Moscow discuss steps to further stabilise situation in Garabagh Aliyev calls Putin

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation on September 21 at the initiative of the Azerbaijani side.

During the phone talks, President Aliyev apologized and expressed deep condolences over the tragic death of servicemen of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Garabagh on September 20, Caliber.Az reports, citing the press service of the President of Azerbaijan.

It was emphasized that the most thorough investigation of what happened will be carried out and all those responsible will receive due punishment. In this regard, the prosecutor general's offices of the two countries are in close contact. The president of Azerbaijan also expressed his readiness to provide financial assistance to the families of the victims.

Both sides stressed the importance of the consistent implementation of the agreements on the complete cessation of hostilities in Garabagh reached with the assistance of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. In this context, great importance was attached to the contacts between representatives of the Azerbaijani state structures and the Armenian population of Garabagh that began in the presence of representatives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the town of Yevlakh on September 21.

The presidents discussed priority steps for further stabilisation of the situation and overcoming humanitarian problems in the region.

Putin emphasised the importance of ensuring the rights and security of the Armenian population of Karabakh. The readiness of the Azerbaijani side to cooperate with the Russian peacekeepers on these issues was confirmed.

It was agreed to intensify work on the negotiation track in line with the well-known trilateral agreements at the highest level in 2020-2022, first of all in terms of unblocking transport links, delimitation of the Azerbaijani-Armenian border and preparation of a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan.