ANDREY NESTERENKO: RUSSIA’S POSITION ON NAGORNO KARABAKH UNCHANGED

armradio.am
29.05.2008 14:12

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian starts his first official
visit to Russia on today.

During the three-day visit, Nalbandian is scheduled to meet with his
Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to discuss future cooperation in
"maintaining security and stability in the South Caucasus" and the
situation surrounding Nagorno Karabakh, Andrei Nesterenko, a spokesman
for Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Armenian foreign minister is also expected to meet with the
head of the State Duma committee on CIS affairs, Alexei Ostrovsky,
and CSTO General Secretary Nikolai Bordyuzha.

Andrey Nesterenko said in an interview with RIA Novosti that
"Nalbandian’s visit will take place in an important period for the
two countries, when presidential elections were held both in Russia
and Armenia, the outcome of which reconfirmed the resoluteness to
ensure the success of the future development course.

Speaking about the agenda of the forthcoming talks in Moscow,
Nesterenko noted that the sides are to compare the approaches of Russia
and Armenia on principled international issues. Based on the identity
or similarity of these positions, it is borne in mind to elaborate
steps for improving the coordination of foreign policy actions by
Moscow and Yerevan. In particular, we count on continuation of our
further close joint work within the SCO and CSTO as well as in the
format of international organizations, including the UN, CoE and OSCE,
and of multilateral fora.

Featuring high on the agenda of the talks will be interaction for the
purpose of ensuring security and stability in Transcaucasia. Moscow
regards the development of multifaceted contacts with the Armenian
partners as an important factor of improving the situation in the
region and resolving the lingering conflicts there.

Turning to Russia’s position on the Karabakh conflict settlement,
Nesterenko said: "The principled stand of Russia on Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement remains invariable. We aim to continue rendering assistance
to the sides in conflict in finding a mutually acceptable solution. We
presume that the main responsibility for a final settlement formula
choice rests with the Armenians and the Azerbaijanis themselves. Russia
would be ready to support a solution option which will suit the sides
involved in the conflict, and in case of a compromise agreement –
would act as the guarantor of settlement."