BAKU: Lavrov: Russia’s position on NK conflict remains unchanged

Trend, Azerbaijan
April 6 2012

Lavrov: Russia’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged

6 April 2012, 18:10 (GMT+05:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, April 6 / Trend /

Russia’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which must be
resolved by peaceful means, remains unchanged, RIA Novosti quoted
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as saying.

“I want to clearly and unequivocally confirm that no any change in our
position on assisting in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh has
happened. Our position is based on the fundamental approaches worked
out by the co-chairs,” said Lavrov.

In late January, the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia held
trilateral talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh, which have become the tenth
since 2008.

“Both position of the co-chairs, and our actions were based on the
need to seek such a solution that will benefit both sides,” Lavrov
reminded about this meeting.

He said Russia’s position is based on the same attitude toward the
three fundamental principles of the resolution — namely, territorial
integrity, respect for self-determination and the non-use of force.

“None of these principles has advantages,” the minister said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. – are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress