RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER: WE ARE DOING OUR BEST FOR THE CONSENSUS BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA IN THE SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Dec 24 2007

The recognition of the independence of Kosovo will not be automatic
solution to the issue on defining status of unrecognized republics,
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Denisov told a press conference
in Moscow today. He stressed necessity of approaching to the solution
of every conflict individually.

"We note the precedent in possible recognition of Kosovo’s
independence, but we abide by international laws and concrete
positions of parties to any given conflict. Anyway, we do not expect
any automatic reaction. After independence of Kosovo is recognized,
we will not have any legal argument for convincing unrecognized
states. And it will cause new tensions in international relations
and Russia is against of it," he said.

Deputy Minister said that Russia will do its best for the settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"Russia does its best for the consensus between Azerbaijan and
Armenia in the settlement of the conflict. The settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict depends on the consensus of the sides. There is no
and will not be easy decision in this situation. It is impossible to
force anybody to adopt decision with force. This decision will not be
carried out even if possible. Unsettled conflicts in CIS region impede
cooperation. For example: "large events" are not held in Azerbaijan
and Armenia because of the conflict," he said.