On 8 June, Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry (MOD) reported that it detained a member of Armenian reconnaissance-sabotage group that infiltrated into Azerbaijan’s territories in the Lachin region.
According to the initial investigation of the Azerbaijani MOD, the group sought to plant mines in Azerbaijan’s territories. The ministry said that the group had taken advantage of unfavourable weather conditions to enter Azerbaijan’s territories. Other members of the group retreated. Armenia’s MOD responded to the statement, by emphasising that the serviceman got lost due to the fog and found himself in the territory under the control of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
A day earlier, the foreign Ministers of Russia (Sergey Lavrov), France (Jean-Yves Le Drian) and Germany (Heiko Maas) held a trilateral telephone conversation on a number of international issues, including Nagorno-Karabakh. Topics discussed included the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the implementation of provisions of the trilateral statements signed by leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on 9 November 2020 and 11 January 2021.
“The ministers emphasised the importance of strict compliance with the ceasefire regime and the need for a political and diplomatic solution to the emerging differences. Also, [the] ministers reaffirmed the role of the OSCE Minsk Group in the negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. As for the Russian side, it was noted that any involvement of international organisations is possible only with the consent of Baku and Yerevan,” the report of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Following talks between three foreign ministers, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs confirmed Paris is ready to “closely cooperate with Russia within the framework of the Minsk Group and other international platforms.” It was also noted that in comparison to the statements of France’s President Emmanuel Macron to that Azerbaijan “should withdraw its troops from the territory of Armenia” (Caucasus Watch reported), the French ministry's statement focused only “on the necessity of starting negotiations between the parties to overcome delimitation and demarcation challenges irrespective of the latest developments on these territories.”
This was not the only contact on the international level, as the EU Council President Charles Michel phoned Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Karabakh issue. In particular, the parties discussed the current situation in the region, considering the importance of further consistent implementation of the trilateral statements, the unblocking of economic and transport links in the region, and solving humanitarian problems. Charles Michel also expressed support for the work being carried out, including through the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.
