ARMENIAN LEADER, AZERI ENVOY TO RUSSIA DISCUSS KARABAKH CONFLICT

Public Television of Armenia
July 3 2009

[Presenter] Armenian President [Serzh] Sargsyan has received
the members of a delegation [led by the Armenian and Azerbaijani
ambassadors to Russia], noting that he is sure that the members of
the delegation are in Armenia because they have a deep realization
of their responsibilities before posterity and aspire to establish
peace and mutual understanding [in the region].

[Sargsyan speaking in Russian with Armenian voice-over] We are living
in a unique geographical region which is different form others with
its unique culture and geopolitical significance. Unfortunately, our
region is rich with unsolved problems too and only mutual trust and
cooperation atmosphere can allow us to think about better future for
our nations. In this regard, we had always been and continue to be
of #the opinion that it is possible to resolve complicated problems
through cooperation and negotiations. We have noticed an initiative
by our ambassadors in this context and welcomed it.

[Passage omitted: the importance of developing public and culture
relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan was noted at the meeting]

[Polad Bulbuloglu, Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia, speaking in
Russian with Armenian voice-over] The meeting with the Armenian
president was more constructive. He carefully listened to us
and his attitude towards an initiative by the civilian society
was comprehensible. I would like to express my gratitude to both
[Armenian and Azerbaijani] presidents for creating an opportunity
for this meeting.

[Passage omitted: the representative of the Russian president for
cultural-social issues and former Russian minister of culture,
Mikhail Shvydkoy, speaking about close relations between Armenians
and Azerbaijani in Russia]

[Armenian ambassador to Russia, Armen Smbatyan, speaking in Armenian]
We try to establish relations in culture sphere and we are succeeding
doing this. I am sure that no-one is able to eradicate a neighbouring
institution. We are neighbours and we understand that neither
Armenians, nor Azerbaijanis will leave their countries. We can or
cannot respect each other, but we are obliged to establish relations
and think about the future.