Azerbaijan, Baku, September 4 /Trend, M.Aliyev/
Statements by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev testify an impartial position of Russia as co-chair of the Minsk Group, which is a mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement, deputy chairman of ruling New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), Ali Ahmedov, told reporters on September 4. We believe in the sincerity of Medvedev statements made in Baku," said Ahmedov.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid an official visit to Azerbaijan on Sept. 2-3. Samad Seyidov, the PACE vice-president, chairman of international relations and interparliamentary relations of the Azerbaijani Parliament, briefed the media that the results of the meetings held within the Russian President's visit to Baku prove that Moscow's position with regards to Armenia has not changed.
"Yes, Russia periodically strengthens its position in Armenia, but I think that it does not threaten the Azerbaijani-Russian relations, Seyidov said. Russia is an important partner of Azerbaijan both in the economic and other spheres."
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 seven 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 negotiations to resolve the dispute.
Armenia has failed to implement UN Security Council resolutions stipulating the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.