Resolution of Karabakh conflict remains one of most topical issues for Russia
By Rashid Shirinov
The resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one of the most topical issues for Russia, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said at a press conference on June 28.
“Russia’s point of view has not undergone any changes. We are working with the two parties to achieve the result. For us, this topic is one of the most relevant on the international agenda,” she said.
Therefore, achievement of a settlement based on the agreements and coordinated positions between Azerbaijan and Armenia and mutual respect meet Russia’s interests, the spokeswoman added.
“The basic approaches of Russia as a state to the problems remain unchanged. We really believe that confrontational rhetoric leads only to the continuation of confrontation,” Zakharova mentioned.
She also noted that Russia wishes effective results of the possible meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia.
“We traditionally say that meetings between the two countries must be commented by the representatives of the two countries. If such a meeting is coordinated and held, we really wish it effective results and good atmosphere, because presently it is particularly necessary for solving the problems that are on the agenda, including that of the two states,” Zakharova said.
Russia, along with the U.S. and France, is a co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group established to broker peace to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.
The two countries fought a lengthy war that ended with signing a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.
While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign state with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.
Until now, Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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