RUSSIA STANDS AS MEDIATOR IN THE KARABAKH ISSUE AND A WARRANTEE OF PEACE
By A. Haroutiunian
AZG Armenian Daily
05/04/2007
Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian, highly appreciating the
importance of his meeting with his Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov,
represented on a press conference the details of the meeting.
The Foreign Minister of Russia, as it was expected, first of all
emphasized the military and strategic partnership with Armenia. He
added that Armenian-Russian cooperation is on a very high level aty
present and includes almost all possible spheres.
Mr. Lavrov reminded that his visit is dedicated to the 15-th
anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the
two states.
Foreign Minister Lavrov said that he considers the Karabakh conflict
unique in the world practice due to rather the mutual accordance of
the mediators’ approaches than the principles of its settlement. He
added that the interests of Russia, USA and the EU in the settlement
of the Karabakh conflict are not in contradiction with each other.
Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia, besides being a mediator between
the sides of the conflict, is also ready to become the warrantee of
any agreement achieved between the sides.
The Russian Minister informed that the construction of Kars-Akhalkalaq
railway, increasing the economical isolation of Armenia, has not been
started yet. He stated that Russia wants nothing to create difficulties
and complications for Armenia. Lavrov noted that long-term agreements,
which will be signed after establishing agreement between Armenia
and Azerbaijan on Karabakh, will be of considerable importance for
the Poti-Caucasus ferry, exploitation of which is soon to be started.
Lavrov also expressed Russia’s position on eth opening of the
Armenian-Turkish border. In connection with the dislocation of
Russian corpses on the border the Foreign Minister of Armenia,
Vardan Oskanian, said that first of all this is a circumstance
provided by a Russian-Armenian agreement, and secondly an important
term of Armenia’s security. In his return Lavrov said that Russia is
interested in sustaining military bases in a vitally important region.
To Sergey Lavorv’s opinion, threats of starting military campaign
against Iran on April 6 are not serious. He stated that Russia does
not accept military solution of any conflict. In connection with a
rising wave of xenophobia in Russia he again stated that the Russian
Government and he personally is against any violence.
Russian Foreign Minister informed that the Government does everything
to reopen the Upper Lars checkpoint as soon as possible, which was
closed which was allegedly closed for reconstruction. He said that
the works will be continued until eth checkpoint meets all modern
requirements.
Armenian Foreign Minister Oskanian informed that the Minsk
Group has not yet come to agreement about the date of the next
Oskanian-Mamedyarov meeting. Most possibly the meeting will take place
in late April or in May. The meeting is to be dedicated to the work
on the Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement terms and the discussion of a
possible meeting of the Presidents of the two states.