There is no doubt that final agreements on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be reached, Russia is comprehensively promoting this, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday at a press conference following talks with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
"We have a common understanding that the process [of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan] is moving forward. We might have wished to see a faster pace, but nevertheless the process is in progress, and significant positive results are being achieved - intermediate so far. But there is no doubt that there will also be final agreements. We try to contribute to that in every possible way," Lavrov said.
According to the Russian minister, Baku and Yerevan have their "specific vision" about how to cooperate at the current stage, but both sides "have the same understanding" that the joint statements of the three countries' leaders remain "a very clear road map" to be followed. "And we are very glad that such a founding meeting of the two commissions - Armenian and Azerbaijani - on border delimitation took place. The next meeting is planned in Moscow. We are ready to provide, in accordance with the agreements of the leaders of the three countries, advisory assistance, including the provision of cartographic materials. It's very important for this particular work," - he continued. - "And at the same time, the trilateral working group headed by the deputy prime ministers on the unblocking of transport and economic ties has made significant progress".
During talks with his Armenian counterpart, Lavrov discussed options for resolving the remaining issues. "I am confident that they will eventually be resolved. I am convinced that there is no other way but a complete normalization of relations. Everything that we denote by the conventional term "peace treaty" is based on the proposals that were presented in due time by Azerbaijan. Armenia responded with its own vision. And taking into account these two documents there is a process in which we are ready to participate as a mediator, consultant and in principle a facilitator," Lavrov summarized.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS