Russia, Moscow /corr. Trend R.Agayev / Russia, as co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group together with the USA and France, makes everything depending on it to make closer the positions of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict sides, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Andrei Denisov, said at the press-conference on 24 December while replying to the question of Trend Special Correspondent.
"We see that there are certain progresses in this regard. The sides are continuing talks and it is very urgent. Everybody knows that there are not and will not be easy solutions here. To make these and other decision forcibly or under pressure is simply impossible, and if it is possible, this decision will not be viable and will bring to some difficulties in the future," Denisov said.
The Russian diplomat considers that settling Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict exclusively depends on how the conflicting sides reach an agreement with each other. According to Denisov, Russia's position on the conflicts, including Nagorno-Karabakh, envisages following norms of international law.
Replying to the question of Trend Special Correspondent on how it is expedient to establish military-strategic union between Russia and aggressor-country Armenia, especially the Armenian-Russian military co-operation within the frameworks of Collective Security Treaty Organization, Denisov said that along with other member-countries of the organization, Russia is co-operating with Armenia. "It is real and we do not hide it. However, all necessary explanations on this issue are provided to the Azerbaijani side," he said. According to the Russian Deputy foreign Minister, Russia proceeds from the issue that the relations with Azerbaijan are of friendly character and character of close partnership on important directions of co-operation. "Generally I do not see any problems in the relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, excluding ordinary events which happen between each two countries or neighboring countries," Denisov said.
Denisov set an example that Azerbaijan has its own vision for the development of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
According to Denisov, non-settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict also affects the activity of the CIS. "It needs to make some amendments. For instance, large events within the CIS are not conducted in the capitals of Armenia and Azerbaijan in order not to create problems. If any events, meetings of leaders or senior officials are held in Baku, it will present problems for Armenia or just against if any events are held in Yerevan. However, we hope that such problems will be few. In any cases, our Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts will co-operate within the CIS and assist in settling these issues. In any cases, we do not see any total freezing," Russian deputy foreign Minister said.
The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in 1988 due to Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Since 1992, Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of Azerbaijan including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven surrounding districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement at which time the active hostilities ended. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.