Ayvazyan and Guterres Stress Urgency of Humanitarian Situation in Artsakh During Phone Call

The Acting Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan had a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on May 10. The interlocutors praised the effective cooperation established between various UN specialized agencies and Armenia, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Public Diplomacy and Information Department.

One of the key topics of the conversation was the need for measures to alleviate the humanitarian and socio-economic situation created in Artsakh due to the recent developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Presenting the work carried out by Armenia with relevant UN specialized agencies during the Azerbaijani aggression against Artsakh and in its aftermath, the Acting Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan continues to politicize the issue of humanitarian assistance accessibility and disrupt international efforts.

In the context of humanitarian issues requiring immediate solutions, Acting Foreign Minister Ayvazyan stressed the urgency of repatriating Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held hostage by Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported that Minister Ayvazyan and Secretary-General Guterres addressed the need for the protection and preservation of historical, cultural, and religious heritage in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and the establishment of effective international mechanisms in this regard. The Acting Minister deemed the Azerbaijani side's behavior in obstructing the implementation of international expert missions at endangered cultural sites unacceptable.

During the phone call, Minister Ayvazyan highlighted the importance of restoring the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. In this context, Ara Ayvazyan also emphasized the role of the co-chairmanship in addressing the consequences of the war.