“With this understanding, Azerbaijan has offered post-conflict normalization agenda to Armenia. Both sides are engaged in negotiating the text of a bilateral agreement that will form the framework of inter-state relations based on the mutual recognition of and respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of state borders. The talks held, over the last few weeks, in Washington DC, Brussels, Moscow, and Chisinau served for the sides to better understand their core concerns and helped narrow the differences with respect to some issues. Azerbaijan remains committed to pursuing the normalization agenda and expects the reciprocal political will from the Armenian side to address remaining differences on three specific tracks forming the agenda of bilateral discussions, namely, the soonest conclusion of an agreement establishing inter-state relations; the delimitation of the State border; and the opening of transport communications in the region,” said Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov as he addressed a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council.

“The declared recognition by Armenia of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, including the Garabakh region, provides a ground for cautious optimism. Yet, as always, deeds speak louder than words. The declarations of the Armenian leadership have to be reflected in the actual behavior of this country to eventually achieve a breakthrough,” the FM noted.

“In this context, the continued illegal military presence of Armenia in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, consistent interference with our internal affairs, obstruction of the dialogue between the central Azerbaijani authorities and local residents of the Garabagh region of Armenian origin, and wide-scale smear campaign being pursued internationally, including within the OSCE, contradict to this declared commitment, and instead, constitute the major impediment for the negotiations on inter-state normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” the minister emphasized.