Russia protests foreign intervention in resolving Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict: Foreign Minister Lavrov
10 March 2009 [12:58] – Today.Az
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks in an interview with news
agencies in Azerbaijan.
– Mr. Lavrov, which issues will be discussed during the Baku talks?
– My task – together with my Azerbaijani counterparts – is to summarize
the activities of the Declaration on Friendship and Strategic
Partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan dated July 3, 2008 and
outline steps to implement regulations in the near future. During my
upcoming meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, I hope to
hear his thoughts about developing our relations.
I am tuned into talks with my counterpart Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Elmar Mammadyarov on key issues in our bilateral agenda, including
political, economic and humanitarian cooperation.
Obviously, foreign political talks will be comprehensive. Russia and
Azerbaijan, as neighboring countries and active regional players, have
many topics to discuss. These are Caspian issues, including defining
the Caspian’s legal status, creating a multilateral mechanism to ensure
security in the region and furthering economic cooperation. In this
respect, we may make rapid progress.
We intend to discuss the initiatives of several countries to strengthen
stability in the South Caucasus.
We will surely have comprehensive talks on resolving the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We will be glad to hear the thoughts of our
Azerbaijani partners about Russia’s future steps as an OSCE Minsk Group
co-chair to assist Azerbaijan and Armenia to end this frozen conflict.
And there is also our international agenda. We will see what can be
done to further coordinate the activities of our foreign ministries in
the UN and other international organizations.
-? Are Russia’s and Azerbaijan’s stances on regional policy close, such
as resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? How can the Moscow
declaration contribute to solving this territorial conflict???
– Russia’s and Azerbaijan’s views on the situation in the South
Caucasus and ways to guaranteeing peace and stability in the region
were fixed in the declaration on friendship. Both our countries have
concerns about existing obstacles preventing regional governments from
developing steadily.
Firstly, this relates to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Russia’s
position has been expressed repeatedly, including by President Dimitriy
Medvedev. I believe it is well known.
Again, I repeat that we protest foreign intervention. The primary
responsibility to resolve the issue falls on Azerbaijanis and
Armenians. Russia is prepared to support a compromise agreement to
satisfy all parties. A viable solution is one that will return
stability to the South Caucasus.
Now let us touch upon the declaration signed on Nov. 2, 2008 by
Medvedev, Aliyev and Sargsyan and how it can contribute to resolving
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. I must say this document has great
significance as the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders unambiguously
confirmed their intention and readiness to continue bilateral talks to
resolve the conflict.
It is no accident that the results of the trilateral meeting received
support at the session of the OSCE Council of Foreign Ministers in
Helsinki in December 2008. Moreover, the three OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairmen – Russia, the U.S. and France – later made complementary
proposals.
The fact that the presidents’ last meeting took place recently in
Zurich less than three months after the signing of the Moscow
declaration testifies to the document’s ability to resolve the conflict.
– Azerbaijani Parliament sounded anxiety in connection with
anti-Azerbaijani direction of armed forces established under the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). What is the major
appointment of these forces?
– As far as I understand, this question is linked with a decision on
establishment of the CSTO collective urgent response forces, adopted at
an irregular session of the organization. I want immediately state any
apprehension in this respect are groundless.
For instance in difference to NATO urgent response forces, these Forces
are intended to perform only in the territory of CSTO member-countries.
A decision to use these forces is adopted unilaterally by the
presidents of CSTO member-countries.
Key functions of CSTO collective urgent response forces will embrace to
repulse military aggression, to hold special operations to combat
international terrorism and forcible extremism, transnational organized
crime, narco-trafficking, as well as to eliminate outcomes of natural
calamities and technogenic situations. To fulfill these tasks the
collective forces will include mobile military units out of armed
forces, special divisions of interior ministries and security services,
as well as, emergency ministries.
– Despite response note by Russia, which denies any arms delivery to
Armenia in 2008, Azerbaijan continues raising this issue at high level.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry states that this question is still
open and the parliament continues sounding strict statement in this
connection. How could this fact impact the bilateral relations? Can it
make Russia to investigate the issue repeatedly and in more detail?
– We have repeatedly answered this question – Russia has never sold
arms and ammunition to Armenia from base 102 in Gumri, as Azerbaijani
electronic media reported on Jan. 8, 2009.
Unfortunately, the publication, which represents nothing else than
diversification, easily found its "addressees" in Azerbaijan. I don’t
think there is necessity for additional investigation, because all
statements made by Russia through its diplomatic channels are based on
facts and do not leave any chance to doubt on conclusions by the
Russian military leadership.
We understand Azerbaijan’s careful approach towards the issue given
difficult situation in the relations between Baku and Yerevan. At the
same time, we are convinced that Russia and Azerbaijan possess enough
reserves of mutual confidence to prevent such falsifications hindering
us to expand strategic partnership.
– What steps are taken to consolidate the efforts of the CIS
participating countries in combating negative consequences of the
global financial-economic crisis?
– Upon the decision of CIS Council of State Heads dated Oct. 21, 2008,
a conference of the finance ministers of the CIS participating
governments took place in Moscow, where the participants exchanged
views on this question. Anti-crisis problems were also on the focus of
attention during the meeting of the CIS Council of Government Heads,
which took place on Nov. 14, 2008 in Kishinev. During the meeting it
was recognized that the high mutual integration of the economies of the
CIS countries requires coordinating steps for the minimization of the
negative consequences of the crisis. Especially because the majority of
the CIS states face such problems as, for example, limitation of access
to the external sources of funds. The work in this regard was continued
at the session of CIS Economic Council CIS on Dec. 12, 2008.
The anti-crisis measures are reflected in the Plan of measures for the
realization of the first stage – 2009-2011 – of Strategies for economic
development of the CIS for the period of up to 2020, which is planned
to be submitted for the approval at the meeting of the CIS Council of
Government Heads due on May 22 in Astana.
More "moved" the anti-crisis co-operation is made within the Eurasian
Economic Community, where Azerbaijan is not a member. This was one of
the key topics at the last session of Inter-Governmental Council of
EurAsEC on Oct. 10 2008 in Bishkek at the level of Heads of State and
on Dec. 12 in Moscow at the level of the Heads of Government.
Today already it is possible to speak of transition to the concrete
combined actions in this regard. Under the chairmanship of the Finance
Minister of Russia A.L.Kudrin, the EurAsEC Council for Financial and
Economic Policy prepared complex joint measures to overcome the
consequences of the global financial and economic crisis. The measures
were approved at the December session of EurAsEC Inter-Governmental
Council. The plan for the practical realization of the measures is
finishing to be devised.
The extraordinary summit of EurAsEC which took place on Feb. 4 in
Moscow made an important decision on establishment of the anti-crisis
fund. The finance of this fund totaling $10 billion is envisaged for
providing sovereign loans and stabilizer credits to the participating
countries, and also for financing the inter-governmental projects.
– Will any positions in bilateral trade and economical cooperation
which amounts to $2 billion undergo any changes in the context of
global financial crisis?
– Indeed, goods turnover between our countries hit US 2.4bln last year.
Overall the goods turnover displayed a double-rise over the past three
years. It testifies for goods bases to further developing economic
cooperation, gives an opportunity to rapture gradually from mutual
trade on raw basis.
The current structure of bilateral goods turnover enables to minimize
jointly negative outcomes of global financial-economic crisis. So, it
is necessary take measures to consolidate quality changes in structure
of mutual trade, increase share of goods with high added cost,
particularly, machinery products. Furthermore, we plan to realize huge
joint energy projects with Azerbaijan, which are being developed.
It will undoubtedly require from all interested organizations and
enterprises to take active steps directed at increasing efficiency of
economic cooperation. Our experts are sure Russia’s remaining as a big
commodity supplier to Azerbaijan. Russian entrepreneurs voice their
readiness to develop hence their business in Azerbaijan. So, good
turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan is predicted to remain in its
2008 level in 2009. I add that there is not any obstacle to involve
Azerbaijan to antirecessionary measures taken under EurAsEC.
– Active talks are presently going on in connection with the
implementation of Nabucco project, which also envisages Azerbaijan’s
participation in. Could Azerbaijan’s participation in this project
negatively impact on bilateral relations between Baku and Moscow?
– Azerbaijan’s decision on participation in energy projects is its
sovereign right and we respect it. It also concerns Nabucco gas
pipeline.
Major criteria to select the route for oil and gas delivery should be
cost efficiency, reliability and ecological security. We are against
excessive politicization.
Russia share common understanding of diversifying energy supply routes
as a method of ensuring the European energy security. We realize
projects constructing alternative gas pipeline routes to different
regions of the continent. First of all it is dealt with North and South
Stream routes. Nationwide, "Blue Stream" gas pipeline has been
commissioned.
We support expansion of Russian-Azerbaijani cooperation in energy field.
– If our young people begin to better understand each other and become
closer, it will be possible to solve many Russian-Azerbaijani problems,
which have risen over the last 15-18 years. What role do the Russian
language and culture play in strengthening mutual understanding between
the young people?
– Welfare and prosperity of the country mostly depends on efficiency of
youth policy. Namely youth differs with active position, receptive to
all innovations, mobile, capable to find easily a common language with
their foreign contemporaries.
Thus, 2009 was announced a Year of Youth in the CIS in whole and in
Russia separately. Different events will be held and I expect youth
from Azerbaijan to take an active part. I want to note that they are
aimed to encourage interculture dialogue, to confirm tolerance in youth
sphere, and basic spiritual and moral values.
Young people of our countries have too many common grounds. It is
necessary to promote actively the bilateral programs of cooperation in
youth policy, to create wider opportunities for joint public activity
of youth. These projects should have legal basis in form of
intergovernmental agreements.
Russia remains a key tool of human intercourse in CIS and respectively,
represents an important element strengthening moral and cultural
community of our nations. Although ethnic Russia comprise only two
percent of total population in Azerbaijan, Russia retains a position of
second language in the country. Education in tens of schools and
universities is in Russia. We are grateful to the Azerbaijani
authorities for efforts in maintaining Russian-language information,
education and culture space.
We feel youth craving for Russian in Azerbaijan. Our task is render all
possible support in this respect. We carry out many projects, including
different contests and Olympiads on Russia, presentation of Russian
education system, book exhibitions and literature evenings.
The development of cultural ties between our nations plays an important
role in deepening mutual understanding between the youth of the two
countries. A range of actions are scheduled for youth -?an
international festival of cinematographic debuts "Spirit of Fire", an
exhibition of applied arts and folk arts, arts festival "Dolphin
Games", as well as event within the framework of "Youth Diplomacy".
– What is your estimation of prospects of further developing the
Russian-Azerbaijani humanitarian cooperation?
– Very positive. There are huge reserves to increase humanitarian
cooperation between our two countries both in bilateral spheres –
education, culture, science, health, sports, tourism, social and law
defense, information, and multilateral organizations of the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – the Interstate Fund for
Humanitarian Cooperation and the Council of Humanitarian Cooperation.
During holding the national years of Russia and Azerbaijan in 2005-2006
our countries generated rich experience in implementing joint measures
dedicated to different fields of life of Russia and Azerbaijan
societies. We hope these good traditions will develop further.
We coordinate our relations in the international context under the
Russian-Azerbaijani program on cooperation in humanitarian fields in
2007-2009.
We regard education and science as prospective direction of our
cooperation. The recently opened Baku branch of Lomonosov Moscow State
University, the Baku Slavic University, as well as other schools of
Russia and Azerbaijan could be fully become platforms to implement
joint projects in innovation spheres, particularly in nanotechnology
researches. There is a good reason for it – 2010 was announced a year
of science and innovations in the CIS.
Interaction in inter-religious field is intended to contribute the
deepening confidence and mutual understanding between out two nations.
We expect the fruitful cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church
and the Caucasus Muslims Board to continue.
We are interested in consecutive expansion of legal basis of
humanitarian relations. The agenda includes concluding several
bilateral agreements, including on migration problems, on establishment
and functioning of affiliates of universities, on cooperation in youth
policy and tourism.
/Trend News/