Azerbaijan is stalling peace process with Armenia, Deputy Speaker warns OSCE PA President

Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan, on the sidelines of the 150th Assembly of the IPU in Uzbekistan, held a meeting with OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma.

Arshakyan and Kauma discussed regional peace and security, the parliament’s press service said in a readout.

The Vice Speaker underscored that despite concluding the talks around the terms of the peace treaty, Azerbaijan has made additional preconditions, including demands to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group, and is seeking for artificial reasons to delay the signing of the peace agreement.

Arshakyan said that this conduct by Azerbaijan raises doubts about the latter’s political will to complete the peace treaty.

The Vice Speaker also briefed Kauma on the Armenian government’s Crossroads of Peace project, attaching importance to the unblocking of all transport and other infrastructures. 

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma reiterated support to the establishment of lasting peace in the region. Kauma said she plans to visit the region soon and the trip would contribute to the agenda of peace and security.

Both sides expressed commitment to continue dialogue and cooperation with special attention to security, unblocking transport infrastructures and other issues in South Caucasus.