RA MFA press secretary Vahan Hunanyan to the questions of the "Armenpress" news agency.

- After the quadrilateral meeting in Prague, a statement was adopted, according to which Armenia and Azerbaijan confirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and the 1991 Alma-Ata Declaration, through which both sides recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Does this mean that Azerbaijan should withdraw its troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia, which the Azerbaijanis invaded in May 2021, November, and September 2022?

- The Armenian side has repeatedly stated that the Republic of Armenia's territorial integrity and sovereign territory are not subject to negotiation. We consider the confirmation of this position of the Armenian side in the statement adopted after the quadrilateral meeting in Prague a critical step in restoring the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia. As for the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, the cessation of encroachment by Azerbaijan on the sovereign part of the Republic of Armenia, and the unconditional maintenance of the ceasefire regime, they are imperative in any case, especially in the context of the Prague Declaration.

Also, confirmation by Armenia and Azerbaijan of their commitment to the UN Charter and 1991 The declaration of Alma-Ata will be the basis for the development of a peace treaty between the two countries, as well as for border demarcation works.

- There is no reference to Nagorno Karabakh in the statement. Was the Nagorno-Karabakh problem discussed during the meeting? What developments can be expected in the future in the matter of Artsakh, considering that the parties have confirmed that they recognize each other's territorial integrity?

- We have repeatedly stated that the issue of the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh is vital to us. We raise these issues in all our meetings, including with international partners. However, Azerbaijan is not inclined to discuss this issue with Armenia.

The international partners also believe that the security and protection of all rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are subject to clarification. In this regard, the discussions between Stepanakert and Baku are essential for creating an internationally visible mechanism. Armenia, of course, includes the issue in the discussion framework in all contacts with Azerbaijan.

- The statement also mentions that Armenia has agreed to deploy an EU observation mission along the border with Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan has agreed to cooperate as far as it is concerned. Can we conclude that Azerbaijan did not agree to the deployment of observers?

- The Armenian side has once mentioned the need to introduce international fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The EU civilian mission will carry out activities along the edge of Armenia with Azerbaijan, in the autonomous territory of the Republic of Armenia. Considering the above, we must record that there is no question of Azerbaijan's agreement or disagreement.

- I would like to ask for details on which parts of the border the observers will be stationed in. What their primary work will be, and to what extent will their presence ease the tension on the wall

- The objectives of the EU civilian mission, as stated in the statement, are to build confidence and support the border commissions with their observations. It is perhaps too early to talk about the scope of the mission's functions and powers, specific locations, and other details, as these issues are still in the domain of working discussions.

- Was the issue of returning the Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan discussed during the meeting? What developments can be expected in this matter?

- The issue of the immediate return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held in Azerbaijan is constantly raised by us during all meetings with international partners. The discussions in Prague were no exception.