VASILI ISTRATOV: CO-CHAIRS ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO MAKE THE PARTIES REACH AGREEMENT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug 3, 2006

New Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan Vasili Istratov today visited
the Honor Alley in the capital Baku today.

He laid garlands on the tombs of the then President Heydar Aliyev,
his spouse Zarifa Aliyeva and great composer Bulbul. Then he visited
the Martyrs’ Alley. APA reports the ambassador sharing his first
impressions on the Azerbaijani capital with journalists said he
approved this city. "I liked this city very much. I am sure we’ll
have efficient cooperation with the brotherly Azerbaijani people in
all spheres. I am very pleased for my appointment as ambassador to
Azerbaijan and will take up my duties soon. I arrived in your country
just yesterday. I’ll present my credentials to President Ilham Aliyev
soon and assume office after that," Mr.Istratov said. Assessing the
role of Russia as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group in settlement of the
Nagorno Garabagh conflict, the ambassador said the co-chairing states
do not deal with this issue separately. "The co-chairs are mediating
together and doing all they can do to achieve peace agreement between
the parties to the conflict," he underlined./APA/