Ceyhun Bayramov informs CIS Foreign Ministers about post-war situation

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has attended a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Moscow.

Report informs, citing the Foreign Ministry, that in his speech, the Minister focused on the issues on the agenda of the meeting, noting that the continuation of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere will further contribute to the strengthening of interstate relations and the development of the Commonwealth.

Emphasizing the Resolution “On the draft appeal of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States to the peoples of the Commonwealth of the Independent States and the world community on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945”, he stressed Azerbaijan’s contribution to the Victory over fascism. He noted that the adoption of the resolution was of great importance in the fight against the Nazi ideology and various forms of its propaganda. The Minister stressed that there should be no place for the glorification of fascism in the CIS space.

He also noted that as a result of a successful counter-offensive by the Azerbaijani Army, the territories occupied by Armenia were liberated, and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan was restored. The Minister praised the efforts of the Russian Federation in the adoption of the tripartite statement of November 10, 2020, in particular, the active mediation of President Vladimir Putin.

Highly appreciating the activities of the Joint Russian-Turkish Monitoring Center, the Foreign Minister noted with satisfaction that a new format had been created to strengthen security and cooperation in the region.

Jeyhun Bayramov drew the attention of the participants to the fact that during the occupation, all cities and settlements were subjected to terrible destruction and acts of vandalism, the deliberate looting of religious and cultural monuments, the conversion of mosques into pigsties. He noted that the reconstruction and restoration of these areas are underway.

The Minister also praised the agreements reached in the framework of the trilateral statement, noting that the opening of communications will benefit the entire region and open new prospects for regional cooperation.

Jeyhun Bayramov stressed that Azerbaijan is fully committed to its obligations and returned all war prisoners to Armenia under the tripartite statement. At the same time, the Minister drew attention to the actions of the Armenian side that go contrary to international law and the tripartite document, including attempts by Armenian service members to penetrate the territory of Azerbaijan illegally, as well as the fact that Armenia has not provided Azerbaijan with information on landmines.

At the end of his speech, the Minister expressed hope for the support of the international community, especially of the country’s closest partners from the CIS member states, in the demining and rehabilitation of the liberated territories, and creation of appropriate conditions for peaceful coexistence in these areas.

The Minister also touched upon other issues on the agenda.