Armenia appreciates Kazakhstan’s efforts in Karabakh settlement

06.03.2010 12:40 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Statements and the desire of Kazakhstan holding OSCE
presidency to facilitate the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed to
resolve the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict must be regarded positively,
since Kazakhstan is a CSTO member and an ally of Armenia, RA Foreign
Minister Edward Nalbandian said in an interview to Armenian Public
Television.

The foreign minister stressed that Armenia seeks to deepen strategic
and allied relations with Russia and expand friendly relations with
the United States and the European Union. "With our neighbors –
Georgia and Iran, we wish to develop and deepen the friendly
relations," the Minister said.

According to him, the early resolution of disagreements between Russia
and Georgia, as well as between the U.S. and Iran is beneficial to
Armenia.

According to RA Foreign Minister, Armenia has been able to act as a
mediator. "A vivid example were the talks over the opening of the PPC
Upper Lars. These talks were mediated by Yerevan and today the
checkpoint is open. This is a great success for both Russia and
Georgia, and Armenia, " Edward Nalbandian said.

After nearly a four-year hiatus checkpoints Kazbegi (Georgia) and the
Upper Lars (RF) on the Georgia-Russia border returned to work since
the morning of March 1.

The decision to resume communication between the two countries through
these checkpoints was taken in accordance with agreements reached at
the meetings of Georgian and Russian experts on October 28 and
November 23 last year. The first meeting was held in Yerevan, Armenia
through the second – in Kazbegi through Switzerland mediation.

Both check points will be open daily from March 1 to November 1 from
06:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and from November 1 to March 1 – from 07:00
a.m. to 7:00 p.m.