Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced that Armenia and Azerbaijan recognise each other's territorial integrity.
Speaking at the Council of Europe summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Wednesday (17 May), Prime Minister Pashinyan said:
"Three days ago [Sunday 14 May], with the mediation of the EU Council President Charles Michel we made a step further that Armenia recognises Azerbaijan's territory of 86,600 square kilometres, and Azerbaijan recognises the territory of Armenia of 29,800 square kilometres."
Pashinyan calls for fact-finding mission to Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh
Speaking about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has reportedly been experiencing food and fuel shortages since December last year when self-described Azerbaijani "eco-protesters" staged a picket on the Lachin Corridor, Nikol Pashinyan called for an international fact-finding mission to be sent to the Lachin Corridor and Nagorno-Karabakh, describing it as "high priority".
Azerbaijan, on their part, insists that allegations of a "blockade" or "siege" of Nagorno-Karabakh are unfounded, and says that the Lachin Corridor remains open for humanitarian purposes.
The Azerbaijani "eco-protest" ended soon after Azerbaijan installed a border checkpoint at the entrance to the Lachin Corridor on 23 April, about which you can read more here.
International mechanism for Stepanakert-Baku negotiations
In the same address, Pashinyan also said that commencing Stepanakert-Baku negotiations "aimed at providing security and human rights for the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh under [an] international mechanism" is of "vital importance".
On this point, however, Azerbaijan insists that, as Armenia recognises Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, any such negotiations should instead be considered an internal issue of Azerbaijan.
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Radar Armenia