Ararat Mirzoyan, Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, has expressed deep concerns over the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the disputed territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
He made his remarks during a panel discussion at the Dubrovnik Conference, a regional forum on security and cooperation in Southeast Europe.
Mirzoyan said that the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2020, which ended the 44-day war between the two countries, has not brought peace and stability to the region. He accused Azerbaijan of violating the agreement by refusing to withdraw its troops from Armenian territory, holding Armenian prisoners of war, and destroying Armenian cultural heritage sites.
He also criticized Turkey, Azerbaijan’s ally, for its role in the conflict and its expansionist ambitions in the region. He said that Turkey’s involvement has increased the risk of a wider regional war and threatened the security of Europe and beyond.
Mirzoyan called for global action to address the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and to resume the negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group, the international mediation body co-chaired by France, Russia, and the United States. He said that Armenia is committed to finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict based on international law and human rights.
He urged the international community to support Armenia’s efforts and to hold Azerbaijan and Turkey accountable for their actions. He said that the recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination is essential for ensuring its security and dignity.