RUSSIAN MFA SPOKESMAN ANDREI NESTERENKO INTERVIEW WITH RIA NOVOSTI CONCERNING RUSSIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SERGEY LAVROV’S WORKING VISIT TO ARMENIA

Ministery of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
October 1, 2008

Question: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to Armenia on October 3 at
the invitation of Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Armenia. What is the agenda of the upcoming talks?

Answer: This is not the first meeting of our minister with his
Armenian counterpart. Edward Nalbandian, appointed to the post of
Minister by a decree of the President of Armenia this past April,
has already visited Moscow twice this year.

At the upcoming Russian-Armenian talks a substantive, forward-looking
exchange of views will take place on topical issues related to the
deepening of mutually advantageous allied partnership and on key
international and regional problems.

Question: How is cooperation evolving between Russia and Armenia at
different levels? In particular, how do you assess the dynamics of
bilateral political dialogue?

Answer: The highly dynamic evolution of relations between Moscow and
Yerevan in recent years stems largely from the sides maintaining a
regular, content-saturated political dialogue, at the highest level
in particular. This creates a favorable atmosphere for the expansion
and improvement of Russian-Armenian cooperation in different fields.

The ministers will touch upon certain topical issues in
Russian-Armenian relations. Over the recent period, economic
problems have moved to the fore in cooperation between Moscow and
Yerevan. Russia confidently leads among the major foreign economic
partners of Armenia. Primary attention is being paid to interaction
in the fuel and energy sector.

Question: What themes will be touched on during the talks between
the Russian and Armenian ministers of foreign affairs?

Answer: Closer cooperation towards security and stability in
Transcaucasia will figure high on the talks’ agenda. The ministers
will discuss conditions in the region after the recent irresponsible
and adventurous actions of the current Georgian regime that led to the
dramatic events at the southern borders of Russia. Our assessments
of the situation, resulting from Georgia’s aggression against South
Ossetia and from the decisions taken by Russia to recognize the
independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, will be conveyed to
Edward Nalbandian.

We look forward to the continuation of our joint close work
within the CIS and CSTO (considering that Armenia currently chairs
the Organization) as well as in other prestigious international
organizations, including the UN, Council of Europe and OSCE.

Question: Will Nagorno Karabakh settlement issues be discussed?

Answer: Yes, of course. This complicated problem remains urgent. Russia
intends to continue assisting the parties in conflict to find a
mutually acceptable solution. Supporting in this context the efforts
of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia reaffirms the invariability of its
principled stand on Nagorno Karabakh settlement. We presume that the
chief responsibility for the final choice of a settlement formula lies
with the Armenians and the Azerbaijanis themselves. Russia would be
ready to back up the solution option which will suit the parties in
conflict, and in the event of a compromise agreement being reached –
will act as the guarantor of the settlement.

Sergey Lavrov’s upcoming visit must contribute significantly to an
effective pursuit of the Russian and Armenian leaderships’ course
toward the all-out development and consolidation of bilateral
relations, including their foreign policy component.