KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT IS QUITE REAL: RF FOREIGN MINISTER

ArmInfo
2008-10-07 14:36:00

ArmInfo. As one of three mediators, we feel that resolution of the
Karabakh conflict is quite real. Of course, it should be resolved
by Armenia and Azerbaijan within the frames of direct agreements,
however, the mediators: Russians, Americans, Frenchmen, who perfectly
understand all the nuances and the whole sensitivity of this process,
view the resolution possible, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov
said in an interview with the "Rossiyskaya Gazeta".

‘There are two-three issues pending which should be agreed at the
next meetings of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents. As far as
we understand, such meetings will be held just after the forthcoming
presidential election in Azerbaijan. The matter concerns, first of all,
the Lachin corridor’, the minister emphasized.

As S. Lavrov said, Armenia is per se blocked because of Nagorno
Karabakh. It is in the root interests of the Armenian people to
unblock this situation as soon as possible. There are actually not so
many geographic and political ways out. As soon as Nagorno Karabakh
settlement becomes a fact, Turkey will be ready to assist Armenia
to establish normal relations with the foreign world, naturally,
through establishment of official diplomatic relations between Ankara
and Yerevan.

Even before the Caucasian crisis, there was a very good chance to
advance in Nagorno Karabakh settlement through direct meetings of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents under assistance of mediators –
OSCE MG cochairmen from France, Russia and the USA. A substantial
document was elaborated describing almost all the principles and
mechanisms of settlement, the Russian diplomat said.

‘The problems Armenia experienced concerning uninterrupted transit
of goods through Georgia, show the absolute necessity and urgency of
prompt settlement. Continuation of the situation, when South Ossetia
and Abkhazia will be under a permanent threat of military attack,
because of which a threat of interruption of the transit , important
for Armenia, will be preserved, meets no one’s interests. So, it
is in on behalf of Yerevan to unblock Nagorno Karabakh conflict as
soon as possible, that will contribute not only to normalization of
relations with Turkey but also to the opening of Armenia’s relations
with the foreign world through Turkey’s territory’, RF FM resumed.