The UK urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to utilize upcoming multilateral meetings to maintain momentum on the peace process, and to finalize a lasting peace agreement, Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe and North America, said in response to a question by Jessica Morden MP.
“Alongside our international partners, the UK stands ready to support them in doing so. The Foreign Secretary spoke with both Foreign Ministers on 18 July at the European Political Community summit, where he made clear our support for both countries. I also spoke with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on 11 October and Azerbaijan Presidential Representative Elchin Amirbayov on 29 October to reiterate our support,” Minister Doughty said.
On preservation of buildings of Armenian religious significance in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the Minister said: “We are clear that the preservation of religious and cultural sites in the region is an important issue and is in the interests of all peoples of the region and beyond.”
“We are aware of allegations from both Armenia and Azerbaijan that cultural and religious sites have been deliberately damaged over the course of the conflict between the states, and in Nagorno-Karabakh. Officials at British Embassy Baku have raised the topic of religious and cultural heritage and the need to protect sites of Armenian religious significance with the Azerbaijani government at the most senior levels,” he added.
