Ararat Mirzoyan: being in conflict zone cannot deprive Artsakh Armenians of their fundamental rights
YEREVAN, June 17. /ARKA/. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reconfirmed today Armenian government's readiness to make efforts to establish peace and stability in the region during a meeting with visiting Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić
"In this context, the solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is fundamental, which is to include key points to ensure the security and all rights of the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), as well as the final determination of its status. The people of Artsakh have the same rights as everyone else, and being in the conflict zone cannot deprive them of their comprehensive fundamental rights," he said during a joint press statement.
Mirzoyan said during his meeting with the CoE Secretary General, he emphasized the fact that Azerbaijan, which tried to resolve the Karabakh issue by force in 2020 and also by invading Armenia's sovereign territory, has grossly violated its CoE membership obligations.
"This circumstance should receive an adequate response from the CoE and member states," he added.
According to the Armenian Foreign Minister, there are still unresolved humanitarian issues as a result of the aggression unleashed against Artsakh: the return of prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan and humanitarian access to Artsakh.
"Politicization of these issues is unacceptable. Hate towards Armenians and belligerent rhetoric, physical and psychological terror against civilians is also unacceptable," he stressed.
Mirzoyan believes that regarding humanitarian and human rights issues the Council of Europe, its relevant structures and leaders must be more resolute and make every effort to respect the interim decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, PACE resolutions, the provisions of the November 8 Memorandum of the Commissioner for Human Rights.
For her part, Marija Pejčinović Burić welcomed the meetings between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, as well as their statements concerning, among other things, the launch of border delimitation process.
"We must achieve reconciliation, and all initiatives in this direction are welcomed," she added.-0-
