RUSSIA VIEWS AZERBAIJAN AS IMPORTANT STRATEGIC PARTNER

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
May 21 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / Òrend corr S. Aghayeva / Azerbaijan is an important
strategic partner for Russia and we are interested in developing
the co-operation between the countries, Russian Foreign Minister,
Sergey Lavrov, stated in Baku on 21 May, during a briefing after the
meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Elmar Mammadyarov which
was held within the framework of his official visit to the country.

"We have had positive talks on bilateral co-operation, regional bonds
and issues of an international nature," Lavrov said. According to him,
the ministers stressed the necessity to develop the co-operation
with regards to the Caspian Sea’s status, the establishment of
peace and stability in the region through settlement of military
conflicts including Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia backs the settlement
of the conflict on the basis of international principles and mutual
agreement of the parties to the conflict, Lavrov said. As to the
status of the Caspian Sea, the Russian Minister stated that Russia
insisted that the solution to this issue should meet the interests
of all the 5 Caspian countries. Baku and Moscow are prepared to do
their best to reach these goals.

" Russia can play a key role in the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, Mammadyarov noted at the briefing. He voiced his satisfaction
with the activities of the Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk
Group on peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Azerbaijani Minister added that the positions of the two countries
corresponded for the most part.

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