EDITOR's NOTE: details added after the third paragraph
Azerbaijan, Baku, May 12 / Trend, E.Tariverdiyeva /
Russia and Turkey are interested in strengthening stability in the Caucasus region and in resolving of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, President Dmitry Medvedev said today at a press conference in Ankara, "Russia-24" television channel reported.
"We, I mean RF, will advance this issue and use all opportunities, Russia's prestige and influence to resolve this conflict," Medvedev said.
According to him, Russia will consult on these issues with the Turkish partners.
"Recently, encouraging steps have been made on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the sides meet, communicate, there is progress on a number of moments regarding with the settlement," Medvedev said.
According to him, it doesn't mean that today agreement on all issues has been reached, consultations are continuing. "I have repeatedly offered mediation to presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan, and I hope it will continue, including on those moments that require clarification of positions," the president said.
According to Medvedev, other members of the OSCE Minsk Group should contribute, and Russia counts on their support. However, above all, all issues should be discussed between the sides of the conflict - Armenia and Azerbaijan, the president said.
Medvedev said that recently, the sides made a major step forward, but the main thing - not to stop on achieved. "I wouldn't like to comment on some moments on number of regions and other aspects of the settlement, because scrupulous should be made on such issues to avoid unnecessary detonation, so far Russia has a special mission. We as an active mediator will continue to work, and soon Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia's foreign ministers will hold a meeting," Medvedev said.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.
The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the occupied territories.