As Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Russian officials, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov left for Armenia. In accordance with the calls of Ankara over establishment of peace in South Caucasus, Moscow intensifies efforts towards resolution of the problems in the region.
Meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, Lavrov is hopeful of the point that parties have reached in negotiations. Responding to the questions of press during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow will continue to support the process of normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia. “Russia supports the process. Normalization of relations between Turkey and Armenia is towards the interests of whole World,” said he.
ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT WILL RATIFY THE PROTOCOLS
Informing press on the protocols that Turkey and Armenia signed on October 10, towards normalization of relations and development of bilateral ties, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said that Armenian Parliament will ratify the protocols in the shortest term. Armenian Constitutional Court has approved protocols on January 12. The protocols are expected to be introduced into Armenian Parliament soon.
Turkey connects the process of ratification of protocols to the progress in the process of resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Expecting deoccupation of five of seven regions around Nagorno-Karabakh, Ankara does not seem to make any steps that conflicts with the interests of Baku.
NEGOTIATIONS IN KARABAKH CONTINUES
Lavrov stated that Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group continues efforts towards resettlement of Nagorno-Karabakh problem, and refuted reports that claim the process is at stuck. Confirming Lavrov’s statements, Nalbandian said, “I agree, I do not think that process is at stuck either.” Reminding that Azerbaijani and Armenian officials met for nine times for seeking a solution to the dispute, Armenian Minister stressed that peace negotiations are being continued.
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs France, United States and Russia continue efforts for resolution of the problem since 20 years. The disputes over return of 1 million Azerbaijani refugee who had to leave their homeland with the Armenian occupation and determination of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh are the main problems that prevent resolution of the problem. Baku demands resettlement of the problem within the frames of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
