Madame Chairperson,

Ukraine warmly welcomes the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov to the OSCE Permanent Council.

We highly appreciate our fruitful cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, particularly in the framework of the OSCE. Our partnership also successfully develops within GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, which brings benefits to broader regional cooperation.

In November 2020, Ukraine welcomed cessation of military actions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Taking this opportunity, I would like once again to send our sincere condolences to the families of those who perished or were wounded in the combat actions.

Ukraine welcomes meaningful steps aimed at restoration of stability and well-being of the region as well as the continuation of international efforts towards reaching a sustainable settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the international law.

Our Organization in its efforts on the way to comprehensive and cooperative security, should proceed from clear understanding that both protracted and hot conflicts remain a major factor of instability threatening security in the OSCE area.

Ukraine has always supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The fundamental principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is even more topical for Ukraine now, when my country is suffering from Russian aggression, and has a part of its territory under temporary Russian occupation.

Concluding my statement, I would like to thank Minister Bayramov for his address to the Permanent Council and express confidence in further successful development of partnership between our countries in all spheres of mutual interest.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.