President Medvedev said that Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be settled quickly
© RIA Novosti. Vladimir Rodionov
21:19 24/12/2011
MOSCOW, December 24
(RIA Novosti)
President Dmitry Medvedev has said the conflict over the Nagorno
Karabakh region between Azerbaijan and Armenia can be settled any day
if the two conflicting Caucasus states agree to compromise.
`I think this is perhaps the only conflict in the post-Soviet area
that could be settled today,’ Medvedev said in an interview to the
Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, released
Saturday.
`Everything depends on the parties’ goodwill and on their ability and
willingness to listen to each other,’ he added.
Inter-ethnic conflict between the two Caucasus states erupted in the
late 1980’s and resulted in the secession of the Nagorno Karabakh
region from Azerbaijan, which led to the displacement of hundreds of
thousands of Armenians and Azeris. Russia has been mediating peace
talks for nearly two decades.
`I have made mediation efforts over the last few years that have
resulted in eight trilateral meetings, bringing the leaders of
Azerbaijan and Armenia together,’ Medvedev said. `The two sides have
been able to set out their views and arguments in a frank and honest
fashion and this is all part of the mediator’s job.’