POLITICS
STATEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
The Russian Minister further pointed out that establishment of Russia-Armenia united military troops was in sight and the two countries’ general staffs would be steadily engaged in this project.
Such statements, which serve disturbing of balance of forces in the South Caucasus and intensification of tension in the region cannot but cause fair concern in Azerbaijan. Against the background of the conflicts in South Caucasus, especially the still unsettled Nagorno-Garabakh problem, intensification of the Russia-Armenia military cooperation manifests new dangerous tendencies. In addition, Russia’s involvement in peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Garabakh conflict as one of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, requires the country’s careful and balanced policy towards conflicting states. Unfortunately, it is not observed in most cases. That is exactly why the expanding of military cooperation between Russia and Armenia creates a stimulus for the latter, which had occupied the Azerbaijani lands, to take a strict stance in the process of peace talks. Thus, under the auspices of some Russian circles, Armenia today has turned into a destructive force in the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan makes a resolute protest against the intentions of Russia - as one of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs - to form united military troops with one of the conflicting parties, and urged Russia to take more constructive position and not allow increasing Armenian military potential in order to ensure peace and stability in the region, settle the conflict and eliminate its hard consequences, as well as to create mutual confidence between the peoples of the region.