ArmInfo. Moscow proceeds from the fact that the signing of the declaration between Azerbaijan and Russia in no way poses any problems for the Russia’s allied obligations to Armenia in any direction. This was stated on February 25 during a weekly briefing by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, referring to the impact of the allied declaration between Azerbaijan and Russia on Moscow’s allied obligations to Yerevan.
“We will comply with our obligations towards Yerevan, which is our longtime, close ally. And in our opinion, the signing of the declaration with Baku will strengthen precisely the trilateral cooperation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, including on security issues, economic and humanitarian cooperation in the Transcaucasus. Moreover, we are constantly, including taking into account the changed geopolitical realities in the region, updating the bilateral legal framework with Armenia, which currently has about 300 documents”, she said.
At the same time, Zakharova stressed that this declaration is not directed against third countries, but rather aimed at strengthening regional security. “We are discussing the subject of military-political relations with both Baku and Ankara. You know our position on this matter. At the same time, we have a common regional platform for interaction – the <3 + 3> consultative platform, and within its framework, in addition to Azerbaijan and Turkey, we interact with Armenia, Iran and keep the door open for Georgia”, the Russian diplomat said, adding that Russia requires NATO to fulfill its non-expansion commitments. However, she continued, no one is against, while observing the generally recognized norms of not ensuring one’s own security at the expense of the security of other countries, against military- technical cooperation between countries.
Regarding the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and, in general, the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, Zakharova noted that paragraph 9 of the declaration on allied cooperation with Azerbaijan contains a passage that the parties will do everything possible to promote the implementation of the provisions of the agreements between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia from November 9, 2020 and January 11, November 26, 2021. “And paragraph 10 states that the parties will cooperate in solving the problems arising from the above agreements and work closely in establishing long-term peace between the states of the region. So, the adopted declaration works to strengthen regional security. As for the position of the OSCE Minsk Group member states – Russia, the United States and France, they are set out in joint statements, and the last of them was issued on December 7, 2021>, the diplomat summed up.
It should be noted that on February 22, the leaders of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, signed a declaration in Moscow on the establishment of allied relations, consisting of 43 points. The Declaration on Allied Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan notes that Moscow and Baku intend to develop military- political cooperation that meets national interests and is not directed against other countries.
The parties also agreed to provide each other with military assistance if necessary. “In order to ensure security, maintain peace and stability, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan may consider the possibility of providing each other with military assistance on the basis of the UN Charter, separate international treaties and taking into account the existing international legal obligations of each of the parties,” the text of the declaration says.
Russia and Azerbaijan intend to join forces in the fight against international terrorism, cybercrime and other security challenges. According to the document, Moscow and Baku will stop the activities of individuals and organizations directed against the territorial integrity of both countries.
Russia and Azerbaijan will consider opportunities for developing cooperation in the field of peaceful atom, the declaration says. It is also noted that Moscow and Baku, working closely to stimulate international energy cooperation and strengthen global energy security on an equal and mutually beneficial basis, intend to deepen cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, including in the field of exploration and development of oil and gas fields, transportation of energy resources, including involvement of efficient infrastructure projects, as well as in the areas of alternative and renewable energy sources.
“Moscow and Baku will do everything possible to promote the implementation of the agreements on the settlement of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone,” the declaration says. In addition, Moscow and Baku are ready for urgent consultations if something threatens the security interests of one of the parties. The parties refrain from any actions that, in the opinion of one of the countries, damage the strategic partnership and allied relations of the two states, the document emphasizes. To this end, they “create a permanent mechanism of consultations through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.”
The declaration also notes that the parties interact in the field of foreign policy in order to ensure stability and security in the Caucasus and Caspian regions.
Russia and Azerbaijan also agreed to refrain from any economic activity that causes direct or indirect damage to one of the countries. According to the document, the countries intend to develop cooperation in metallurgy, engineering, aviation, automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical sectors, as well as in light industry, agriculture, construction and road industries. The parties also agreed to promote the use of national currencies in mutual settlements and the integration of payment systems, including the joint servicing of bank cards.