ELMAR MAMMADYAROV: RUSSIA SHOULD PLAY KEY AND DECISIVE ROLE IN THE SOLUTION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 21 2007

Azerbaijani and Russian Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and Sergey
Lavrov held a meeting in Baku today.

Following the meeting, Elmar Mammdayarov called the talks serious and
efficient in the press conference. He said the talks focused on the
issues concerning missile defense system in Europe, status of Kosovo
and Nagorno Karabakh, legal status of the Caspian Sea. Azerbaijani
Minister said the position of the two states coincide in many
political issues, stressing the expansion and strengthening of
bilateral relations and increasing bilateral trade turnover between
two countries.

Sergey Lavrov emphasized that relations with Azerbaijan are of
significant interest for Russia. "We discussed the organization of
the 11th conference of Intergovernmental Commission, cooperation in
economical, humanitarian, military spheres, increasing the number
of Russian higher schools’ branches in Azerbaijan, teaching of the
Azerbaijan language in Russian territory". Sergey Lavrov said Russia
supports peace and stability in the Caucasus.

"From this point of view, we are concerned about unsolved conflicts
in the region". Russian Foreign Minister said Azerbaijan and Armenia
through the mediation of OSCE Minsk Group co chairs continue to make
efforts to settle the conflict. "I am sure that the parties will
demonstrate political will to find a solution to the conflict. Russia
as the co chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and as the friend of both
Azerbaijan and Armenia will do its utmost to settle the conflict,"
he stressed.

Russian Minister said the basis of strong relationships between
Azerbaijan and Russia was laid by Heydar Aliyev and further expanded
by Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin within their friendship.

Elmar Mammadyarov said Russian co chair of OSCE Minsk Group is
actively working. "We are satisfied with the activity of Russian co
chair. We consider that Russia should play a key and decisive role in
the settlement of the Karabakh problem. We always considered Russia
as Caucasus state. The mutual relations, friendly neighborhood,
cooperation, friendship between our Presidents show that we are on
the true way."