Armen Grigoryan Discusses Developments at the Armenian-Azerbaijani Border with Philip Ricker

On July 29, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Armen Grigoryan had a phone conversation with Philip Ricker, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs.

During the conversation, Armen Grigoryan condemned the attack by the Azerbaijani armed forces on July 28 against Armenian positions located in the Gegharkunik region of the Republic of Armenia, describing it as an outright violation of Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It was emphasized that since May 12, Azerbaijan’s incursions into Armenia's sovereign territory and continuous provocative actions have created a tense situation that can only be alleviated after the withdrawal of Azerbaijani armed forces to their initial positions.

In this context, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary highlighted the importance of resolving the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and working towards de-escalation.

The resumption of peaceful negotiations regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group was also underscored, aiming for a comprehensive resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and the establishment of sustainable peace in the region.

The two interlocutors also addressed the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. In this context, Armen Grigoryan condemned the initiation of criminal cases against Armenian prisoners of war and civilians under false allegations, labeling these actions as gross violations of the obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan and international humanitarian law.

Armen Grigoryan and Philip Ricker also discussed the prospects for further expanding cooperation within the framework of the strategic dialogue between Armenia and the United States, particularly emphasizing the significance of joint efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.