We Do Not Reduce Efforts to Return All Detained Persons Home: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated during a press conference in Yerevan today that issues of mutual interest were discussed with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"We have discussed in detail the current situation around Nagorno-Karabakh. We noted the existing progress and the stabilization of the situation. We do not reduce efforts to return all detained persons home, as well as to clear mines, and to preserve cultural and religious heritage. The trilateral working group led by the Deputy Prime Ministers of Armenia, Russia, and Azerbaijan plays an important role in stabilizing the region," Lavrov said.

Additionally, the Russian top diplomat highly appreciated the cooperation between Moscow and Yerevan within integration structures. The collaboration in military and defense industries, as well as within the framework of the 102nd military base, was also praised.

"We discussed several international and regional subjects. We agreed to continue coordinating our actions in international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation," Lavrov added.

The diplomat also noted that, despite a slight decrease in trade turnover, Russia remains Armenia's main economic partner. Cooperation in the fight against coronavirus was also discussed.

"Russia has sent several tens of thousands of doses of vaccines to Armenia, and the provision of an additional 1 million doses, as well as the production of the vaccine in Armenia, is being discussed," Lavrov said. He also added that today an intergovernmental memorandum was signed in the field of biological safety.