Question: The provisions of the agreement signed by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 9 have not been unequivocally accepted by various segments of the society. There is an opinion that it is possible to make some provisions more pro-Armenian through negotiations. How possible is that process?

Ara Aivazian: We must clearly underline that the trilateral statement is aimed at establishing a sustainable ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and deploying the Russian peacekeepers in Artsakh. At this current stage, some provisions of that statement have been implemented or are in process, which were mostly outside of the diplomatic field. We have repeatedly mentioned that the issues of ensuring the interests and rights of the Armenians of Artsakh should be addressed in the diplomatic platform within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. And our priority is to return the discussions of the issue to the diplomatic field.

Currently, a number of new issues have emerged that need to be resolved immediately, including the protection of the rights of our captive compatriots and the rapid and safe return to their homeland, the exchange of the bodies of those killed and the searching of missing persons, the return of displaced Armenians of Artsakh and creation of appropriate conditions for their vital security, the restoration and protection of their rights, the guaranteed protection of the Armenian historical-cultural and religious heritage in the territories of Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijan. In this process, we actively cooperate with all our international partners.

In this context, we have provided detailed information not only on the war crimes committed by Azerbaijan during the aggression against Artsakh, but also on the direct involvement of Turkey and foreign terrorist fighters recruited by the latter from the Middle East. It is already clearly stated in the international community that the Armenians have resisted against the aggression unleashed by this alliance (Azerbaijan, Turkey and international terrorists- ed.). Nevertheless, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with other relevant bodies of the Republic of Armenia, still has a lot of work to do through the involvement and participation of international partners.

Artsakh is a reality on the geopolitical map, and the hesitation of the presence and direct involvement of international organizations is unacceptable. Our principled approach is that the social problems of the Armenians of Artsakh and the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh must be addressed on the ground in order to ensure a speedy return to normal life.

Question: You mentioned as a priority of diplomacy the issue that our society is concerned about the most these days - the return of our captive compatriots. The society voices its concerns, claiming that the state structures are inactive in this regard. To date, there has been no public statement on this issue by Armenian diplomacy.

Ara Aivazian: Yes, you are right, we have been quiet on this issue, but by no means inactive. As you know, there is an interdepartmental commission of the Republic of Armenia on the issues of prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons, which is headed and coordinated by the Ministry of Defense of Armenia. Negotiations on all issues related to prisoners of war, hostages and missing persons were conducted through that commission. The Foreign Ministry is also included in that commission, having a defined scope of authority, which in recent days have been expanded on our own initiative, being directly involved in the working of the ICRC.

In this regard, given the sensitivity of the question and its direct relation to people's lives, I must ask for your and your readers' understanding as I can not provide more information apart from the fact that clear steps are being undertaken to address the issue as soon as possible: there is a personal commitment of the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on this issue. At this stage, the parties are trying to clarify the lists of the prisoners of war and the launching of the exchange mechanisms. We have confirmed our commitment to the principle of "all for all"; we expect that Azerbaijan will not pose artificial impediments in this matter.

Question: For many years, the Republic of Armenia has considered the 7 regions of Nagorno-Karabakh also as a security zone for the people of Artsakh, and with that logic has conducted the negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. In this new situation, when they are under the control of Azerbaijan, what will be the priorities of Armenia in the negotiation process? How much do you attach importance to the continuation of the negotiations within the Minsk Group?

Ara Aivazian: All the rights of the 150,000 population of Artsakh must be fully restored and implemented in their historical homeland. At the center of the military operations carried out by Azerbaijan with the blatant provocation and support of Turkey are the genocidal aspirations aimed at completely anhilimating the Armenians from Artsakh and deporting the Armenians from their historical homeland, which can be seen in the logic of post-war rhetoric and developments.

In the context of the efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, I would like to emphasize unequivocally that the conflict is based on the issue of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination, which cannot be resolved through the use of military force. Armenia has stood and will continue to stand for the recognition of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and for providing international security guarantees.

The claims of the Azerbaijani side that the conflict is resolved from now on are baseless. It looks like that even the President of Azerbaijan, who makes such statements, does not yet fully understand the essence of the document he signed. As it clearly derives from the text of the trilateral statement and was clearly emphasized recently by the President of Russia, who mediated the ceasefire, the issue of the final status of Artsakh is not settled yet and it is the subject of further negotiations. The other Co-Chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group also agree on this issue.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be considered resolved only if the right to self-determination exercised by the people of Artsakh is recognized by the international community. During the war, the perception that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an issue of indigenous people of Artsakh to live a free and dignified life in their historical homeland, which we had been insisting on for 26 years, was further strengthened and deepened within the international community. Our contacts at all levels in different countries of the world testify that the international community has defined the perception that Artsakh can not be under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan under any circumstances and that the Armenians of Artsakh have all the rights as all other peoples of all over the world do.

Question: From the first days of the war, the issue of recognizing the Republic of Artsakh by the Republic of Armenia has been discussed. Is the issue of recognizing Artsakh's independence being considered now?

Ara Aivazian: The recognition of Artsakh has always been considered not only in the context of its status but also in the wider regional and international context. We must state that the brutal military force used against the people of Artsakh has further strengthened the fight for the recognition of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination, and we are witnessing certain new approaches in this direction.

Question: As a newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, what are the main foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Armenia?

Ara Aivazian: The most important priority of Armenia's foreign policy was and remains the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is also one of the pillars of the security system of Armenia. It is clear to all of us that these are critical days for our country, people and state, and our main priority is to implement a crisis management which aims at addressing first of all the priority issues of comprehensive security and development of Armenia and Artsakh in all its directions.

Question: Is it expected some changes in the apparatus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or in the Armenian diplomatic missions?

Ara Aivazian: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a professional apolitical structure in which the preservation of the institution and the institutional memory is of special importance. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry is not a static structure; naturally, it has its own logic of development, continuous improvement and professionalization.