Work of trilateral group on unblocking communications 'frozen' due to Armenia's position - Russian Foreign Ministry

YEREVAN, February 14. /ARKA/. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova again blamed Armenia for ‘freezing’ the work of an Armenian-Azerbaijani-Russian group that was set up to address the reopening of roads between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

'Work in the trilateral group is currently frozen because of the position of the Armenian side,’ 'Zakharova told a press briefing.

“We confirm our readiness to resume full-fledged interaction. The approaches of Russia and Iran on this issue are similar, and this is fully confirmed in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between our countries (Russia and Iran) signed in Moscow on January 17 this year,” Zakharova said.

According to her, under this document, the sides are to promote peace and security in the neighboring regions, including the South Caucasus, and cooperate to prevent destabilizing interference and the presence of third forces (on Armenian-Azerbaijani border).

“The reflection of this understanding in the fundamental interstate document, which is designed for a 20-year perspective, speaks volumes. The only difference is that Russia is a participant in a trilateral working group co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia to unblock transportation and economic ties in the South Caucasus,” Zakharova said. -0-