Conversation between Bayramov and Osmani

On January 10, a telephone conversation took place between Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Bujar Osmani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, and the Acting Chairman of the OSCE, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported.

During the telephone conversation, North Macedonia's chairmanship in the OSCE in 2023, Azerbaijan-OSCE relations, and current issues of the bilateral cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia, including the current situation in the region, were discussed.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the other party about the current situation in the region, the steps taken by Azerbaijan in the direction of the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the obstacles created by Armenia to the peace treaty negotiation process.

The minister said that Armenia grossly violated its obligations under the Tripartite Declaration by transporting illegally exploited mineral resources of Azerbaijan to Armenia from the Lachin Road, intended only for humanitarian purposes, and continuing the mine threat by bringing 2021 mines from Armenia to Azerbaijan. He said that the security of the Armenian armed forces, which has not been withdrawn, was misused to cross citizens of third countries illegally, and all these facts caused the rightful protest of the Azerbaijani side.

"It was emphasized that the video images showing the unhindered passage of citizens, the International Red Cross Committee, ambulances, peacekeeping contingent cars, and other means of transport on the Lachin road prove the groundlessness of the claims that Azerbaijan has 'blockaded' the Armenian residents and that there is a 'tense humanitarian situation' in the region," the report added.

Minister Bujar Osmani shared the chairmanship's views on the work and plans within the framework of the OSCE and emphasized the importance of dialogue and taking steps toward the establishment of peace and security in the region.

Conversation between Bayramov and Donfried

On January 10, Jeyhun Bayramov spoke with Karen Donfried, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs of the United States of America.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov pointed out that despite a number of constructive initiatives by the Azerbaijani side regarding the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations in the post-conflict period, the process was continuously obstructed by various provocations by Armenia. According to the official, Armenia has grossly violated its obligations under the Tripartite Declaration dated November 10, 2020, by using the Lachin Road for military provocations, including the illegal transportation and placement of mines, illegal economic activity and looting of natural resources, and the illegal crossing of third-country nationals.

"Despite the statements of the Azerbaijani side that there are no obstacles to the free movement of Armenian residents using the road and that they intend to provide assistance to Armenians, if necessary, the fact that people who present themselves as the leaders of local Armenians are against the use of the road by the population has been brought to attention," the report added.

It was emphasized that the Azerbaijani side is committed to dialogue and is always ready to increase its efforts toward the establishment of peace in the region.

Conversation between Mirzoyan and Osmani

On January 10, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Bujar Osmani, the Press Office of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

"Minister Mirzoyan drew the interlocutor's attention to the humanitarian crisis resulting from Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor. It was emphasized that the actions of Azerbaijan grossly violate the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, as well as international humanitarian law. The foreign minister of Armenia underlined that Azerbaijan's actions aim to subject 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing," the report added.

"In the context of preventing the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, Foreign Minister Mirzoyan stressed the need to undertake clear steps by relevant regional and international institutions, including the OSCE," the Ministry stated.

Conversation between Mirzoyan and Donfried

On January 10, Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Karen Donfried.

"Ararat Mirzoyan briefed his counterpart on the humanitarian situation deteriorating daily since December 12, 2022, due to Azerbaijan's blockade of the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the world - the Lachin Corridor. It was emphasized that with its actions, Azerbaijan grossly violates the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020," the Ministry stated.

"The Armenian side noted that the alleged environmental justifications and accusations of the Azerbaijani side for blocking the Lachin Corridor are false. Minister Mirzoyan stressed that Azerbaijan is obliged to unblock the Lachin Corridor as defined by the November Trilateral Statement without any preconditions," the report added.

The Armenian foreign minister also presented the recent developments regarding the normalization process of Armenia-Turkey relations to the interlocutor.