Russia does not interfere in internal conflicts in the CIS countries but is ready to provide support and assistance if requested, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said at a press conference on Thursday.
"Russia does not allow itself to interfere in internal conflicts both in the CIS space and in any other countries. We are always ready to help and support if we are asked but we do not impose our point of view or try to influence the situation by any disruptive actions, although we know and understand that many processes, including those in the post-Soviet space, take place with a clear interference of a number of countries," Matvienko said.
Commenting on the situations in Belarus and Kyrgyzstan Matvienko noted that the process of the statehood establishment is not simple and requires time and stable political parties "in order to avoid such constant outbursts". "All this is in the hands of the people of Kyrgyzstan and Belarus," stressed the speaker of the Council of the Federation.
According to Matvienko, the recent summit of CIS heads of state was very informative and "demonstrated that there are no centralized forces." "All CIS countries understand that we will be stronger together. Together we have more opportunities to develop our economy, and the integration processes strengthen our economic potential," Matvienko added.
In Belarus, there have been mass protests against the results of the presidential elections, held on August 9, for several months. According to the CEC, Alexander Lukashenko won with 80.10% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came in second place with 10.12%. She did not recognize the results of the election and left the country. The Coordinating Council of the Opposition, established in the republic, calls for the protests to continue, while the authorities demand that the actions be stopped. Mass marches are held in Minsk and a number of other cities.
On the night of October 6 there were mass disturbances in Kyrgyzstan organized by supporters of parties that had lost parliamentary elections. After an hours-long confrontation with the police, the protesters seized the buildings of the Presidential Administration, government, and Parliament. President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Prime Minister Kubatbek Boronov and Speaker Dastanbek Jumabekov resigned as a result of the protests. The CEC declared the election results invalid and a re-run will take place no later than June 1 of the following year. Early elections of the head of state are scheduled for January 10 next year.
Status of Nagorno-Karabakh
Determination of Nagorno-Karabakh's status requires additional negotiations, Russia counts on the efforts of the French and US presidents in this matter, Matviyenko said.
"Behind the brackets the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, it requires additional negotiations. We certainly count on the efforts of the OSCE, the French president, the US and other states that are involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement process. There is still much hard work ahead of us," Matviyenko said.
According to her, the conflict "smoldered, flared up, lasted more than thirty years, did not find a solution."
"We stopped the victims, prevented further escalation of the conflict, new human casualties. It was a very difficult agreement (of the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and the Armenian Prime Minister - TASS), it was not easy to achieve. Believe me, I know that these are days and nights of hard, hard conciliation work. Today it is the Russian peacekeepers in the conflict zone that hold this agreement, do not allow to violate its terms, return to armed clashes, contribute to a peaceful life, the return of refugees," the Speaker of the Council of the Federation added.
"Today Russian peacekeepers are perceived by both sides, as well as the people of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as efforts of the brotherly people to assist in the final settlement of this conflict," Matviyenko said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS