Russia welcomes joint statement by Armenia and Azerbaijan

Russia welcomes the statement by Armenia and Azerbaijan on their intention to normalize relations and sign a peace treaty, as well as concrete steps to release prisoners and support Yerevan and Baku for each other in international organizations, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said in a statement.

“Moscow is pleased with a joint statement by the Administration of the President of Azerbaijan and the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia confirming their mutual intention to normalize relations and sign a peace treaty between the two countries,” Zakharova said.

She has noted that the Russian side welcomes the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the release of captured soldiers. According to the statement, the idea of the release on the principle of “all for all” has been promoted by Russia.

“We welcome Armenia’s decision, as a gesture of goodwill, to withdraw its candidacy for hosting the 29th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in November 2024 in support of Azerbaijan’s bid, as well as Azerbaijan’s support for the Armenia bid for Eastern European Group COP Bureau membership,” the statement adds.

It notes that Russia is ready to continue to help in every possible way in “unblocking transport communications, delimiting the border, signing a peace treaty, and promoting contacts through civil society.”

On Thursday evening, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement on steps aimed at confidence-building between them, with Azerbaijan releasing 32 Armenian soldiers and Armenia releasing two Azerbaijani soldiers.