Russia MFA: OSCE Minsk Group Could Have Been Active in Strengthening Trust Between Armenians, Azerbaijanis

• 02.10.2021, 15:54
•  EEU,  Region,  World,  Armenia,  NKR

Moscow proceeds from the fact that the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group on the settlement of the Karabakh [(Artsakh)] conflict must continue; Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS about this, News.am reports.

"They [the Minsk Group] made an important contribution to the development of the basic principles for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict—many of which were reflected in the November 9, 2020 statement. (…).

The Troika has strong international support and can be helpful in developing mutually acceptable approaches to further steps, including in status issues; but carefully, not rushing, when the time comes.

Now the OSCE Minsk Group, its co-chairs, could have been active in the matters of strengthening confidence-building measures between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. The development of a dialogue within the civil society will contribute to the general improvement of the situation in the region and to the creation of preconditions for further steps in the political path," Rudenko said.

And when asked whether Moscow was concerned about the strengthening of Turkey's military presence in Transcaucasia as a result of the conflict in Karabakh, and taking into account the reports about Turkey's intentions to build air bases in Azerbaijan, the Russian deputy FM said: "We proceed from the fact that our military cooperation with Ankara in the region is being built within the framework of the joint Russian-Turkish ceasefire monitoring center in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, in the Aghdam region since January 30. Considering the opening of such a center as a good example of joint efforts aimed at resolving the situation in the region."