Bayramov suggests Armenia should start bilateral talks on border delimitation, speak about ‘Zangezur Corridor’ again

In his speech at the 43rd session of the Council of Ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation member states, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov made a number of statements related to the situation after the Second Artsakh War, local media reported.

He said Azerbaijan “has restored its territorial integrity,” and Baku has repeatedly stated that it is “ready to normalize relations with Armenia on the basis of sovereignty, territorial integrity, mutual recognition and respect for borders.”

“We advise Armenia to start bilateral discussions on border delimitation and demarcation. Azerbaijan expects a positive response from Armenia. Armenia must fulfill its international obligations, as well as its trilateral declaration, and provide maps of minefields to avoid great human suffering,” Bayramov said.

The trilateral statement of November 9 does not contain any provision by which Armenia undertakes to provide maps of minefields, instead there is a clear point about the return of captives, hostages and other detainees, which Azerbaijan does not fulfill.

Bayramov also spoke again about the “Zangezur Corridor” not enshrined in any international document.

“The November 10, 2020 joint statement was completed by an Azerbaijan-Russia-Armenia statement of January 11, 2012, which envisages the opening of communication channels in the region. The implementation of these measures will significantly change the landscape of the South Caucasus. ‘The Zangezur Corridor’, a new link between Azerbaijan and Turkey, will serve to develop existing trade and transport links, just as it will unite the isolated Nakhichevan exclave with Azerbaijan almost 30 years later,” he said.