Today the international community demonstrates a rare unanimity of views on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said this on Wednesday in an interview with TASS.
"It is necessary to pay tribute to the international community, which very rarely in modern conditions finds opportunities and strength to unite. This time the statements of the heads of international organizations, as well as those of heads of state, politicians, public figures - all of them are written in a good sense, like a copier. It is a pleasure," she said.
Zakharova noted that the international community calls the parties to an immediate ceasefire, resumption of political and diplomatic efforts and dialogue at the negotiating table to "solve this already very old problem". "There is no other option but political and diplomatic peaceful solution, it is confirmed in the relevant document base, which has been worked out over the years," she stressed.
Russia's mediation efforts
Speaking about the Russian Federation's mediation efforts to resolve the conflict, the diplomat pointed out that Moscow was assisting and doing its best to calm the situation and called for an immediate ceasefire. "The appeal is addressed to two capitals, two states.
Russia is doing so both in its national capacity and as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair. We hear different statements, including a few statements of an aggressive plan, aimed, unfortunately, at fomenting the conflict, at its continuation, at increasing the combat component. But once again I would like to emphasize that there are literally only a few such calls," informed the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
"We are doing everything to return the situation from this acute phase to the phase of political and diplomatic settlement," the diplomat stressed. Answering a question about whether Moscow would be ready to provide a platform for a meeting between representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia in case of a relevant request, Zakharova said: "As you know, any appeal will be considered, no matter which side we are talking about. This is a normal diplomatic practice. We maintain this contact with all parties".
"Russia spends from the first not even hours, but probably minutes of this situation in an acute phase of contacts with all parties, including those that are involved in one way or another," she said. - Everything possible is being done to help the parties settle this situation by returning it to a peaceful course and putting out this fire. In this regard, Zakharova pointed to contacts at the level of the Russian leadership, as well as the active work of Russian diplomats at international venues, including the UN Security Council.
"For us, both Azerbaijan and Armenia are special states that have not only historical ties with us. This is a living connection that is not interrupted, it goes through friends, contacts, culture, business, finances, through humanitarian ties, through human relations," Zakharova said. - Our nations are so connected with close ties <...> that this pain is equally reflected in the hearts of Russians, not only among representatives of diasporas, but also among people who have no Armenian or Azerbaijani roots," Zakharova said.
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict who died and were wounded in the two countries. "I will quote from all of us our favorite song: "War is a matter for young people". Unfortunately, those who have not even had time to start living are dying <...> Frankly speaking, the pain that permeates every time you read new summaries cannot be compared with anything. Yes, there are many sharp, hot, terrible conflicts in the world, a lot of things happen every day, but this story is special," Zakharova added.
The diplomat explained that this situation, which is a "tragedy of two states", is also of a personal nature for her because she has many friends in both countries, many of her entourage are now in pain due to the aggravation of the conflict. "If I had one desire that would be related to the resolution of any conflict, if I were asked or given a magic wand and said: 'Besides establishing peace in the world and making everyone healthy, what else could you do or would you like to do? - I would say that this Nagorno-Karabakh settlement is a peaceful end to the conflict with the search and achievement of solutions and, finally, the coexistence of Armenia and Azerbaijan in peace, harmony, good neighborliness," Zakharova said.
On the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
On September 27, the situation deteriorated in Nagorno-Karabakh, with active fighting on the disputed territory. Martial law has been introduced in Azerbaijan and Armenia, and mobilization has been announced. Both sides report deaths and injuries, including among civilians. Baku has announced that it has taken control of several Karabakh villages and strategic heights. Yerevan reports shelling of Armenian territory.
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Photo: MFA