Conversation Between Bayramov and Lavrov

On August 15, a telephone conversation was held between Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, and Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported.

"During the telephone conversation, the current cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and Russia, the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the current situation in the region were discussed," the report added.

"Minister Jeyhun Bayramov pointed out that Armenia's intensification of its military-political provocations against Azerbaijan, contrary to international legal norms and principles, has seriously affected the current normalization process between the two countries," the information said.

Minister Sergey Lavrov noted the importance of adherence to the commitments established by the Tripartite Declaration of November 10, 2020, signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia.

Conversation Between Mirzoyan and Colonna

On the same day, Ararat Mirzoyan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, had a telephone conversation with Catherine Colonna, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, the Press Office of the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported.

"Minister Mirzoyan briefed French counterpart on the details of the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin corridor, stressing that it may turn into a real humanitarian catastrophe in front of the eyes of the international community. Ararat Mirzoyan presented severe conditions, including the acute shortage of food and medicine for the 120,000 population of Nagorno-Karabakh, especially for vulnerable groups. The imperative to ensure the full and uninterrupted functioning of the ICRC, the only humanitarian organization having access to Nagorno-Karabakh, through the Lachin corridor, was emphasized," the report added.

"Minister Mirzoyan touched upon the request of Armenia to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. He stressed that Azerbaijan does not implement multiple targeted statements and appeals by international partners and organizations and, by keeping the Lachin corridor blocked for eight months, violates not only the statement of November 9, 2020, but also the Orders of the International Court of Justice of February 22 and July 6. Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized that the continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh could jeopardize the efforts of Armenia and the international community aimed at establishing stable peace in the region. He stressed the need to use the existing mechanisms effectively and to take clear steps to lift the blockade of the Lachin corridor," it said.

Azerbaijan Responds to Colonna's Remarks

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported, "We categorically reject the groundless allegations made against Azerbaijan during the statement made by France in the telephone conversation between Catherine Colonna and Ararat Mirzoyan."

"The French side is well aware that if the Armenian residents really need daily necessities, the Azerbaijani side has proposed the Aghdam-Khankendi and other alternative routes for this. France, which has never paid attention to the mass expulsion of Azerbaijanis from their homes and the commission of war crimes against them for nearly 30 years, is now trying to carry out its insidious policy by citing the false propaganda of Armenia, citing the Armenian residents in the region as an excuse," the report added.

"France's turning a blind eye to the fact that Armenia has grossly violated all the norms and principles of international law, as well as its obligations within the framework of the agreements reached, continues its military-political provocations against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, and has not yet fully withdrawn its armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, is a real obstacle to the peace process. It is worth reminding the French side," it stated.

The ministry concluded, "The fact that the French minister believed the false propaganda of Armenia and referred to the misinformation about firing against the mission, which was also wrongly evaluated by the European Union Mission in Armenia, proves once again that France is not interested in establishing peace and stability in the region."