The Moscow Times
Lavrov expresses careful optimism over Karabakh settlement
Interfax. Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005, 9:06 PM Moscow Time
BAKU. Feb 1 (Interfax) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there
are reasons to express careful optimism regarding the settlement in
Nagorno-Karabakh, especially taking into account the fact that bilateral
meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers are taking
place.
“We feel that there are reasons for careful optimism, especially if we take
into account the resumption of meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
foreign ministers. We will support the sides in their aim to come to an
agreement,” Lavrov told journalists on Tuesday, following his arrival in
Baku. Lavrov’s visit to Baku will last for two days.
“We presume that all mediators working in the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, the
U.S. and France) are maintaining contact with both sides – Armenia and
Azerbaijan,” Lavrov added