"My first visit as foreign minister is in line with the spirit of Armenian-Russian relations," Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazian told a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov after their talks in Moscow on Monday, underlining the partnership, cultural and historical ties between the two countries.
The Armenian diplomat highlighted that the war unleashed against the people of Artsakh by Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey and the active involvement of terrorist militants from the Middle East in late September was a new big shock for the region. Ayvazian thanked the Russian side and personally Sergey Lavrov for the great contribution and consistent efforts to the full establishment of the ceasefire in the conflict zone.
According to him, the difficult situation which emerged in the region requires assessments and solutions, which are possible through the prism of consolidation of the society and the Armenian people, clear efforts of Armenian state structures, a country with dynamic economy and high-level defense, and finally through the prism of a strong Armenian state in close cooperation with its partners and friends.
Ayvazian expressed hope that the discussions that started in Yerevan in November will continue.
"We must pay attention to issues such as the activities of Russian peacekeepers, the return of refugees, further steps to provide humanitarian assistance to the public, logistical issues, including the restoration of infrastructure and others," he said.
Ayvazian emphasized that the search for missing servicemen, exchange of prisoners of war and retrieval of victims' bodies are very sensitive issues, which require an urgent solution.
"This is especially important in light of numerous facts of barbaric – in the literal sense of the word – treatment of Armenian prisoners of war and not only. The preservation of Armenian religious sites is among those issues," the foreign minister said.