The understandings regarding the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue must be translated into the language of specific formulas, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov on Monday, TASS reports.

“Nobody denies the fact that the conflict has lasted for too long,” he said, speaking about Nagorno-Karabakh, which is the subject of an unresolved dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“There is a realistic basis for concluding agreements. Everybody agrees with that. Now it is important to translate this understanding into the language of specific formulas,” he said adding that this is usually “not the easiest matter.”

In comments to talks in Moscow with his Azerbaijan’s counterpart, Lavrov said the sides discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh issue on Sunday and in particular the effort made over the past years, including as part of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs – Russia, the United States and France.

Lavrov has expressed cautious but also strengthening optimism about the situation.