Azerbaijani, Russian FMs give joint press conference following talks in Moscow
Moscow, May 21 (AZERTAC). Azerbaijan`s foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have made joint press statements following their talks in Moscow, which culminated with the signing of a 2013-2014 plan of consultations between the two countries` foreign ministries.
Minister Mammadyarov hailed the Azerbaijan-Russia relations as “positive on different fronts”.
“Our relations are developing in line with the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the heads of state of Azerbaijan and Russia in 2008.”
Mr. Mammadyarov said he discussed with his Russian counterpart “the agenda of relations between Baku and Moscow, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”.
“Azerbaijan hopes that an impasse in the talks to find a solution to the Karabakh dispute will be broken.”
“Considering Russia`s role in the region and its role as a co-chair (of the OSCE Minsk Group) we do hope that a deadlock in the negotiations will be broken,” Mr. Mammadyarov added.
The Azerbaijani FM said his country would continue increasing its military power following this year`s presidential elections.
Russian Minister Lavrov said stability in the Caucasus was among key priorities in Russia`s foreign policy, adding his country will make every possible effort to move the Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations forward.
“One should not draw hasty conclusions now. Work continues on this front.”
“There has been a meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian ministers recently. We must extend every possible assistance in finding a compromise and ways of solving the conflict, and we also must take into consideration domestic political calendars of all the parties involved.”
“Nobody is going to lose heart. We will provide every assistance for solving this problem,” Mr. Lavrov added.
The Russian FM also touched upon the termination of an agreement on the Baku-Novorossiysk oil pipeline, saying official Moscow had revoked the contract “solely because of economic reasons”.
“Energy companies of the two countries are now drafting a new agreement that complies with the new realities,” said Mr. Lavrov.
The two FMs also touched upon disappearance of votes awarded by Azerbaijan to Russia`s entry at recent Eurovision song contest.
"The outrageous action at Eurovision regarding the Russian contestant will not go unanswered,” said the Russian Minister.
Mr. Mammadyarov said that "a significant part of the Azerbaijani population voted for the Russian singer", and added that a full investigation would be carried out to see where the "stolen votes" went.
He said data from Azerbaijan`s three major mobile operators indicated that the Russian contestant received the second-highest number of votes submitted via mobile phone text messages, giving her 10 points overall.
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