RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan gave a speech at the 31st session of the OSCE Council of Ministers.
"Throughout the year, Armenia has exerted its utmost efforts to ensure that the OSCE confronts ontological challenges, in particular by contributing to the organization's efforts to strengthen trust and cooperation among participating states and call for the rapid deployment of the early warning and conflict prevention tools." Unfortunately, we all failed in our efforts, both collectively and individually.
While Armenia has long consistently advocated for the complete application of its principles throughout the OSCE area of responsibility, warning of early warning signals of the use of force and calling for swift and decisive action, the OSCE's mechanisms and conflict prevention tools have remained inactive.
However, our criticism should be understood only in the context of our desire to have an effective security organization with independent institutions that operate strictly according to their mandates, obligations, and principles, regardless of any other circumstances.
The challenges that the whole world is facing today force us to be more vigilant in matters related to peace and stability. Considering the above, Armenia continues its constructive involvement in negotiations aimed at fully normalizing relations with Azerbaijan.
This year, bilateral negotiations led to the signing of the border demarcation regulation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which adopted the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991 as the basis for differentiation. On the ground, we managed to restrict more than 12 km of border, and we hope that this document will pave the way for the effective continuation of the process and thus significantly contribute to establishing stability in the region.
We have also made some progress towards signing the Peace Agreement between our two countries. We have agreed on 15 of the 17 articles of the preamble and draft agreement, and if there is sufficient political will, it can be quickly finalized and signed. Armenia has continuously proved its readiness to sign the deal and close the page of hostility in the South Caucasus.
We are sure that peace has no alternative because the people of our region have already suffered a lot from bloody conflicts. Despite all the difficulties, we are determined to continue our efforts to achieve the desired goal. In this context, the "Crossroads of Peace" canal project proposed by the Armenian side has excellent potential to increase confidence, strengthen the atmosphere of trust, and promote better cooperation between the region's countries.
The complete settlement of relations between Armenia and Turkey, especially establishing diplomatic relations and opening borders, can contribute to peace and stability in the region. To this end, we will continue the dialogue with our Turkish partners and implement some practical steps, including a joint assessment of the technical requirements for the bridge between Armenia and Turkey and the border crossing on the Gyumri-Kars railway on the people beyond the borders.
As we approach the critical milestone of the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, it is a good opportunity for each participating state to clearly and unequivocally reaffirm its commitment to the OSCE's core principles, particularly to strengthening early warning and conflict prevention efforts. In conclusion, we assure our Finnish partners that Armenia is ready to work closely to advance this organization's vital work.
