Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Aug 18 2004

AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTER MEET WITH HIS RUSSIAN COLLEAGUES
[August 18, 2004, 20:17:29]

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov meet with with his
Russian colleagues Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on August 18.

After the talks the both ministers were hold press-conference.

The settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh issue is possible only through
agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov told journalists.

“Russia is interested in the resolution of the Nagorny Karabakh
problem. The conflict can be settled only on the basis of the sides’
agreements,” Mr. Lavrov said.

He noted that Russia is ready to contribute to the negotiating
process both as “a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and as a friend
and partner.”

“We are satisfied with the fact that the negotiating process was
resumed early last year,” Mr. Lavrov said.

“We hope that the working group on the Caspian will work out
acceptable decisions on the Caspian status at its regular meeting, to
take place in Moscow,” the minister told journalists.

He noted that these decisions would be in the field of international
law.

In his turn, Mr. Mamedyarov stressed that “the diplomatic resource
must be intensified.” He also expressed confidence that “points of
contact will be found to reach a final decision in determining the
Caspian status.”

Russo-Azeri relations have been developing actively, Sergei Lavrov
said after talks with Elmar Mamedyarov.

“We discussed a wide range of bilateral relations, regional and
Caspian cooperation, the Nagorny Karabakh settlement and
international cooperation. We agreed on a number of issues called
upon to remove the existing problems,” he said.

On his part, Mr. Mamedyarov said that Azerbaijan regards relations
with Russia as strategic partnership.