Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 16
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner of Russia in the Caucasus region, said Russian Foreign Ministry’s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at a briefing Nov. 16.
“Russia closely cooperates with other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, continues to assist the parties of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in search for peaceful, mutually acceptable solutions,” said Zakharova.
She noted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan on Nov. 20.
He is expected to have talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov. During the meeting, it is planned to exchange views on a wide range of issues of the bilateral, international and regional agenda, added the spokeswoman.
“As it is demonstrated in specific cases, Azerbaijan is our important strategic partner in the Caucasus region. This year we mark the 25th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries,” said the Russian official.
Not only the long-standing traditions of friendship and mutual respect, but also the coincidence or proximity of positions on key issues of the regional and international agenda stand at the bases of the Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation, added Zakharova.
"The regular friendly contacts between the presidents of our countries set high dynamics to the development of bilateral relations and allow us to promptly resolve any emerging issues,” she added.
She went on to say that FM Sergey Lavrov will also pay an official visit to Yerevan on November 20-21.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.