MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. Russia welcomes any initiative that can help normalize ties between Baku and Yerevan, the primary goal is to avoid duplicating and competing with ongoing mediation efforts, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said in an interview with TASS.

"We embrace any initiatives that can help Azerbaijan and Armenia normalize their relations. As I’ve said before, the reconciliation between Baku and Yerevan is founded on a series of trilateral agreements reached by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. I'm referring to steps to open up transportation and economic ties, as well as border delimitation. Building confidence through interactions between public figures and experts, as well as the preparation of a peace treaty. The primary goal is to prevent duplication and competition among ongoing mediation efforts in order to maximize their synergy," he stated.

"This is how we perceive Egypt's efforts to assist the peace process between Baku and Yerevan," Galuzin added.

Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that Egypt is willing to serve as a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan in order to normalize ties.