Russia has always been strong advocate of peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Russian OSCE MG’s Co-chair Popov
Baku, May 14 (AZERTAC). Russia has always been a strong advocate of a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. We believe that Russia will continue its mediation together with other countries of the OSCE Minsk Group.
The statement came from a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Igor Popov, in respond to the question about whether a newly elected Russian president, Vladimir Putin is going to continue an active policy on the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"One of the first decrees made by the new President was a decree concerning Russia’s foreign policy priorities. Under the decree, Russia, together with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen will continue to assist the parties to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, taking into account agreements earlier reached between 2009 and 2011. I think this clearly indicates the position of Russia," said Popov.
Commenting on the visit of the co-chairs to the region, Popov said that this was a planned trip. "During the meeting with President and Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan we discussed topical issues. We talked about how to organize contacts with the public and the youth. The meetings also focused on the incidents which occurred along the frontlines at the end of April," said Russian co-chair.
Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Robert Bradtke of the United States, Igor Popov of Russia and Jacques Faure of France and Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk on May 11-14 they traveled to Baku and Yerevan, where they met with presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serj Sargsyan to discuss the most recent efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
In a statement relased later, the Co-Chairs said they continued their discussions with the sides on how to implement the commitments made by presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serge Sargsyan in their January 23 joint statement in Sochi, including to "accelerate" reaching agreement on the Basic Principles as a framework for a comprehensive peace settlement, to work on the mechanism to investigate ceasefire violations, and to develop humanitarian contacts. The Co-Chairs expressed their concern over recent incidents along the frontlines, and urged the sides to exercise restraint and refrain from retaliation. The Co-Chairs welcomed the sides` reaffirmation of their commitment to seek a peaceful settlement.
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