Armenia, Azerbaijan demand mutual guarantees of absence of  territorial claims - Armenia`s premier 

ArmInfo.As part of the work on preparing the text of the peace treaty, Armenia and Azerbaijan came to the understanding that the parties needed mutual guarantees about the absence of hidden territorial claims against each other, Armenian Premier Nikol Pashinyan stated at a meeting with representatives of his Civil Contract party.

"We must record the fact that, in theory, peace between us is  possible. And in fact, conversations lately have been in the  direction of the fact that we do not have and undertake in the future  not to present territorial claims to each other," the head of  government said. Pashinyan emphasized that the absence of territorial  claims should be secured de jure by a peace treaty.

At the same time, he noted that despite the statements of official  Baku, which may leave the impression that Azerbaijan is deliberately  trying to bring the peace process to a dead end, Armenia should not  change its strategy.

"Our strategy has been and will continue to be the following:  strengthening and asserting the sovereignty, independence and  territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia should occur on the  basis of the Alma- Ata Declaration, because this is the understanding  of the entire international community," he said. The head of  government noted that the internationally recognized territory of  Armenia is the territory of the Armenian SSR. "And when we stand on  the defense of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of  this internationally recognized territory, we stand on legitimate  grounds, which should, in the case of professional work, become an  additional factor for our security," he added.

Pashinyan once again emphasized that he expects guarantees from Baku  about the absence of hidden territorial claims, noting that Armenia,  for its part, is ready to provide them. "These are interconnected  processes," he concluded.

Armenia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter  and the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991, through which both sides  recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The agreement was reached following a meeting between Armenian Prime  Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,  which took place at the initiative of French President Emmanuel  Macron and the head of the European Council Charles Michel in Prague.