Yerevan /Mediamax/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated today that as a key ally Russia will continue to assist Armenia in strengthening its defense capabilities and ensuring border protection.

He said this at a meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Moscow on a working visit.

Sergey Lavrov noted that the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh and the South Caucasus in general is always on the first place in their discussions.

“There are three groups of agreements on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict reached at the highest level: November 2020, January and November 2021, and we will continue to ensure the implementation of these agreements, including the activities of the Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh in strict accordance with their mandate.”

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said that Russia played a key role in the establishment of ceasefire and halting hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone in fall of 2020.

“We are confident that the effective activity of the Russian peacekeeping forces ensuring the security of the people of Artsakh will serve to strengthen the ceasefire regime in Nagorno- Karabakh, rule out provocations, restore normal life, ensure stability and security in our region,” Ararat Mirzoyan said.