On January 20, Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian received the Representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries in Armenia: Ambassador of Russia Sergey Kopirkin, Ambassador of France Jonathan Lacotte and US Ambassador Lynn Tracy.

Issues regarding the post-war situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, as well as regional security and peace were on the agenda of the meeting. The need for resuming the peace process within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship was stressed. Foreign Minister of Armenia Aivazian emphasized the imperative of the implementation of the basic principles of the settlement as a whole, in this context underlining the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and security.

Minister Aivazian briefed on the process of the implementation of the November 9 statement on establishing ceasefire and deploying peacekeepers in Artsakh and specifically highlighted the priority of complete and unimpeded addressing of humanitarian issues, particularly, the return of prisoners of war, captured citizens and others detained.

The Foreign Minister and the Ambassadors exchanged views on the humanitarian situation in Artsakh and steps being undertaken to address the needs of the Armenians of Artsakh. The continuous involvement of international organizations, particularly the UN and its specialized agencies, was especially highlighted in this regard.

Minister Aivazian also drew the interlocutors' attention to the urgency of undertaking steps to preserve the Armenian historical-cultural and religious heritage in the territories of Artsakh fallen under the Azerbaijani control, taking into consideration Azerbaijan’s efforts aimed at destroying the Armenian historical-cultural heritage or distorting their identity.

The sides also exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest.