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Sergey Lavrov: â€œThere had been a good chance for the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict before the crisis in the Caucasusâ€

07 October 2008 10:01 (UTC +04:00)

Armeniaâ€™s interests are completely clear â€“ this country is in the blockade in connection with Nagorno Karabakh conflict, has great difficulties in communicating with the world. Soon settlement of the conflict meets the interests of Armenian people,â€ Russiaâ€™s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in his interview to Rossiyskaya gazeta, APA reports. He said that after the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict Turkey would be ready to help Armenia to establish normal relations with the world and it would be possible by establishing official, diplomatic relations between Ankara and Yerevan.

The minister said before the crisis in the Caucasus there had been a good chance to move forward in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict owing to the meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents with mediation of OSCE Minsk Group, substantial document covering principles and mechanisms of the settlement had been prepared.
â€œThere are two or three uncoordinated issues left concerning the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, they are expected to be agreed at the next meetings of Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents,â€ he said.

Sergey Lavrov considers that the presidents will meet after the presidential elections in Azerbaijan.
â€œFirst of all the question is Lachin corridor. Russia being a mediator considers that the settlement of the conflict is completely real. Armenia and Azerbaijan should do it themselves within the framework of direct agreements. Realizing delicacy of the process rather well the mediators â€“ Russia, US and France see the opportunities of solution,â€ he said.

Touching upon Turkeyâ€™s role in the conflict, the Russian Minister stated that activeness of an official Ankara was related with aggravation of geopolitical results of Caucasus crisis.
â€œRussia did not think to take a step of geopolitical character. We only aim to protect innocent people and Russian peacekeepers. Armenian problems on transition of goods of vital importance to Armenia via Georgia during the crisis showed urgent solution to the conflict. Nobody is interested in continuation of the situation. While South Ossetia and Abkhazia are under military attack, transition of goods of vital importance to Armenia faces danger. It is important for Armenia to avoid the danger. Yerevan is interested in urgent solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflict form this point of view. It ensures normalization of relations with Turkey and entrance into world via Turkey,â€ he said.
Lavrov considers that Turkey has understood the uniqueness of this issue on time.
â€œThis uniqueness gives chance to Turkey to show its participation in the region. Turkey is a neighbor with Caucasus and it has good relations with neighboring countries. Ankaraâ€™s Stability and cooperation Platform in Caucasus shows professionalism of Turkish diplomacy. I think that if disputed conflict remains in the Caucasus, Armeniaâ€™s suffering from the situation, uniqueness of the factor understood by Turkey and proposals presented by OSCE MG CO-Chairs will give ground for the solution to Nagorno Karabakh conflictâ€, he said.