Azerbaijan, Baku, June 8 / Trend A. Gasimova /
Any interference or pressure on one side of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is very risky. Russia would not like Azerbaijan and Armenia to say that they are being pressed, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Teyipom Erdogan today, TRT channel reported.
"Not only one side bears responsibility while resolving of such conflicts. Officials of both countries must discuss this issue and continue a dialogue", Putin said.
He said that a solution to the conflict which would be accepted by both parties must be achieved. "Other countries in this issue can act only as mediators. Patience is required, because the issue is very difficult," Prime Minister said.
Putin said that Azerbaijan and Armenia must resolve the conflict themselves. Russia and other countries are ready to provide them with necessary assistance.
"We can not compel the parties to make a decision. We can not put pressure on them", Putin 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.