Interfax News Agency, Russia
May 27 2008

Russia ready to provide further assistance in Karabakh talks – Russian
Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW May 27

While it is up to Azerbaijan and Armenia to choose a mutually
acceptable formula in the Karabakh conflict resolution, Russia is
ready to act as a guarantor in the conflict settlement, Moscow says.

"Russia’s fundamental position on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
remains unchanged. We are planning to provide further assistance to
the conflicting parties in finding a mutually acceptable solution. The
main responsibility for the final choice of the conflict resolution
formula rests on Armenians and Azeri themselves," Russian Foreign
Ministry spokesperson Andrei Nesterenko told journalists ahead of the
arrival of Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandian in Moscow for a
visit.

"Russia would be willing to support a solution that will be acceptable
to both parties involved in the conflict, and in case of a compromise
it will act as a guarantor of the conflict settlement," he said.