Baku Expresses Readiness to Seek Resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh Issue; Lavrov Awaits Yerevan's Response

Today, the last question at the press conference of Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revolved around Russia's relations with Azerbaijan.

In response to a question from an Azerbaijani media outlet regarding whether the year 2018 can be considered a turning point in the development of bilateral relations, Lavrov clarified that it is not appropriate to use such terminology to describe the evolution of relations between the two countries, as those relations are developing in a stable and dynamic manner, rather than in leaps.

Lavrov also touched upon the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as Russia is one of the three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group mediating process.

“It was last year when the leadership changed in Armenia, and regarding our co-chairmanship on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it has so far been limited to introductory meetings. This month, meetings involving the foreign ministers of Russia, France, and the USA are also scheduled with their Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts. Therefore, I believe that in this direction we can also support the resolution of a conflict that has already acquired characteristics of aging, but is subject to resolution in the presence of good will from Yerevan and Baku, as well as support from the international community, represented by the co-chairs. I think the statements regarding the readiness to search for a solution, which have also come from Baku, deserve every possible support. We hope that our friends in Armenia will also respond reciprocally,” said Lavrov.