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Channel One presenter Maxim Shevchenko: â€œIt needs to seek a force interested in the South Caucasian conflicts, overseasâ€

16 December 2009 11:29 (UTC +04:00)

Moscow. Roman Aghayev â€“ APA. Russian Channel One presenter, editor-in-chief of the socio-political magazine â€œSmislâ€, member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation Maxim Shevchenkoâ€™s interview to APA.

- How is Kazakhstan able to accelerate the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process during its presidency in OSCE?

- It is difficult to link these two issues despite that Kazakhstan has friendly relations and mutual cooperation with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. I witnessed it in the Kazakh business sector. It is working with both Azerbaijani and Armenian businessmen and they are establishing business relations between each other. May be international character of the Kazakh society will help this country to mediate in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. The settlement process has begun not yesterday, but since the beginning of the conflict. I think you donâ€™t need to hope for the third side. Everything will depend on the will of Azerbaijani and Armenian peoples. I think main subjects of the process of achievement of peace are these two nations.

- Can the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement influence on the relations between Yerevan and Moscow?

- No. Russia and Armenia have quite enough close ties. This is a relationship between the allies. Both are the members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and cemented their relations with a number of treaties and agreements. I consider that Russia should have such close and mutual relations with Azerbaijan too. Russia and Russians have very close relations with Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis. Indeed Azerbaijani people are brothers of our people and country. We need in the countries in the South Caucasus that are not involved in the war, are working with each other and exchanging experience, establishing trade relations and sharing scientific-technical achievements. The countries, located far from Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey, need in the South Caucasian conflicts. May be we should seek the forces interested in the South Caucasian conflicts overseas?

-Russian media often reports â€œThe protraction of Nagorno Karabakh conflict is to the advantage of Russiaâ€. Is it really so?

-There are some forces that want to blame Russia for everything. This is unfair view, because Nagorno Karabakh conflict creates serious problems for Russia. First of all, a lot of Azerbaijani and Armenian refugees see Russia as their second motherland. Russia has always been open for the Azerbaijanis and Armenians. You know how many people have come to our country and live here. Karabakh conflict is additional load for Russia. The conflict in this region reduces the level of security in the Caucasus and this situation makes influence on the North Caucasus region. Establishment of peace in the South Caucasus means establishment of peace in the North Caucasus. Russia is interested in establishment of peace in the Caucasus so that the situation in the North Caucasus becomes normal.