RUSSIAN MFA SPOKESMAN ANDREI NESTERENKO RESPONSE TO MEDIA QUERY REGARDING "ASSOCIATION" BETWEEN PROCESSES OF NAGORNO KARABAKH SETTLEMENT AND NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS

States News Service
November 19, 2009 Thursday
MOSCOW, Russia

The following information was released by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Russian Federation:

Moscow has taken note that some Armenian media have raised a fuss
about the remarks made by the Russian MFA Spokesman on November 17.

They allege that Moscow has changed its position and now links the
processes of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement and Armenian-Turkish
rapprochement. This is a misunderstanding. Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov has repeatedly clarified Russia’s point of view. It remains
unchanged. These are two different processes.

We have a positive attitude to the bilateral documents signed by
Armenia and Turkey, which determine their subsequent actions towards
comprehensive normalization of state relations.

We believe that the establishment of good neighborly relations between
Armenia and Turkey should objectively contribute to further steps to
promote peace and security in Transcaucasia.

As to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, despite continuing disagreements,
the parties have managed to achieve some definite progress in agreeing
on the basic principles for its settlement.

We see our role in facilitating this process, the search by the
parties for mutually acceptable solutions to the key issues, but
without the imposition on the conflict participants of any recipes from
outside. At the same time we believe that the primary responsibility
for the final choice should lie with the Azerbaijanis and Armenians
themselves. Russia will be ready to support the solution option which
will suit all parties involved, and if a compromise agreement is
reached – to act as guarantor of the settlement. Clearly, a viable
solution will be the one that will enable returning stability and
tranquility in Transcaucasia and in the post-conflict period help to
maintain the historically established geopolitical balance of forces
there and is not likely to transform the region into an arena of
international political and military rivalry.