On January 10, 2023, a telephone conversation was held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, the acting chairman of the OSCE, Buyar Osmani.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told APA that during the telephone conversation, North Macedonia's chairmanship of the OSCE in 2023, Azerbaijan-OSCE relations, current issues of the bilateral cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia, including the current situation in the region were discussed.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the other party about the current situation in the region, the steps taken by Azerbaijan in the direction of the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the obstacles created by Armenia to the peace treaty negotiation process.

The minister said that Armenia has grossly violated its obligations under the Tripartite Declaration by transporting the illegally exploited mineral resources of Azerbaijan to Armenia from the Lachin road, which is intended only for humanitarian purposes, as well as continuing the mine threat by bringing mines manufactured in 2021 from Armenia to Azerbaijan. He said that the security of the Armenian armed forces, which has not been withdrawn, was misused for the purpose of illegal passage of citizens of third countries, and all these facts caused the rightful protest of the Azerbaijani side.

The reasons for the protests, as well as the Azerbaijani side's attempt to negotiate for the purpose of monitoring, were informed, and it was pointed out that the protest action of the civil society representatives of our country on the Lachin road was aimed at preventing the looting of natural resources, which was carried out during the nearly 30-year occupation of the Azerbaijani territories, and which has intensified in recent times.

It was emphasized that the video images showing the unhindered passage of citizens, the International Red Cross Committee, ambulances, peacekeeping contingent cars and other means of transport on the Lachin road prove the groundlessness of the claims that Azerbaijan has "blockade" the Armenian residents and that there is a "tense humanitarian situation" in the region.

Minister Buyar Osmani shared the chairmanship's views on the work and plans within the framework of the OSCE, and also emphasized the importance of dialogue and taking steps towards the establishment of peace and security in the region.

During the telephone conversation, opinions were also exchanged on other regional issues of mutual interest.