Russia wants peace and stability in region: MG’s Russian co-chair
By Sara Rajabova
Negotiations between Azerbaijani and Armenian officials show that positive aspects exist, though it is not easy to bring the positions of the parties closer to each other.
The remarks were made by Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Popov in an interview with APA agency's Moscow correspondent.
Popov said the difficulties in the negotiation process correspond to the complexity of the conflict.
"The parties intend to move forward. We are currently conducting separate consultations with our French and American colleagues," Popov said.
He said the co-chairs met with Edward Nalbandian on February 22 and plan to meet with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in the near future.
"If we reach options that will satisfy the parties, joint meetings can be held, first at the ministerial level. Then, as agreed by the presidents in Vienna, the summit's subject will be considered. We will continue our consultations in the region," Popov said.
Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents met in Vienna on November 19, along with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, to discuss the ways of resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
Speaking about Russia's role in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Popov said Russia wants peace and stability in the region, and a solution for this conflict.
Russia wants the refugees to return home, communications to be opened, and commercial and cultural ties to develop, he added.
"Therefore, Russia has played and is currently playing an active role in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," Popov said.
He noted that about 20 meetings have been held between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents with the direct participation of Russian authorities, adding that his country will continue making attempts towards the resolution of the Karabakh problem.
He also said the OSCE Minsk Group is closely cooperating with other co-chairing countries and is dealing with this issue on all levels. "However, as our president have reiterated, it is up to the parties to put an end to the conflict. The most important thing is to demonstrate political will," Popov said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since a lengthy war in the early 1990s that displaced over one million Azerbaijanis, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions.
The UN Security Council's four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal have not been enforced to this day.
Peace talks, mediated by Russia, France, and the U.S. through the OSCE Minsk Group, are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles. The negotiations have been largely fruitless so far.