At a government meeting on May 18, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Azerbaijan continues the policy of escalation on the border, despite certain results of bilateral negotiations. 

The prime minister noted that earlier, the Azerbaijani side continued shelling the positions of the Armenian army, as a result of which a serviceman of the republic died. According to him, what happened makes the issue of a mirror withdrawal of troops from the borderline and creating a demilitarized zone even more urgent. The Armenian side will continue to insist on this.

Another element of the escalation policy of Baku, the head of the Cabinet, called the transport blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the blocking of the Lachin corridor. "These actions legitimize the need to send an international fact-finding mission to the Lachin corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia is discussing this topic with all international partners," Pashinyan said.

Moreover, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called the mutual recognition of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan following the talks in Brussels last Sunday an important step. The Prime Minister said that in the Belgian capital, the parties fixed: Azerbaijan recognizing 29.8 thousand and Armenia - 86.6 thousand square kilometers of each other's territory. According to him, this will allow to establish stability in the region and come to the finalization of the text of the peace treaty.

The Armenian leader further drew attention to the fact that in the statement of Charles Michel, the head of the EU Council, following the talks, the importance of the dialogue between Stepanakert [Khankendi in Azerbaijani] and Baku for ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of the Nagorno-Karabakh was emphasized. Pashinyan called this an important step for long-term peace with Azerbaijan.

Another key topic of the talks was the unblocking of regional transport communications. Armenia favors opening routes as soon as possible, based on the parties' principles of sovereignty and competence. "I must emphasize that a positive perception has been formed in Brussels regarding the unblocking of the railway. But I will not specify yet, given past experience," Pashinyan stressed. "As a result of the Brussels meeting, some understanding was also formed regarding the further release of prisoners and other detainees and the clarification of the fate of the missing. Discussions on this topic will continue during the upcoming meetings," the Prime Minister informed.

Furthermore, Pashinyan announced that a trilateral meeting of the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan is scheduled for May 25 in Moscow. "We have received a proposal from the Russian side to hold a trilateral summit meeting in Moscow on May 25 through the mediation of the President of Russia. We accepted this proposal," Pashinyan said.