“It’s Not About Self-Promotion for Us”: Russian Foreign Ministry Special Representative to Visit Yerevan and Baku

The Director of the Fourth Department of the CIS Countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Denis Gonchar, stated in an interview with RIA Novosti that special envoy Igor Khovaev will make regular visits to Baku and Yerevan in September to continue working on the text of the peace treaty.

“The topic of preparing the peace treaty holds an important place in our efforts to promote the resolution of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations. Both Baku and Yerevan have confirmed their demand for corresponding Russian assistance. Of course, for us, it’s not a matter of self-promotion, but a tremendous responsibility,” Gonchar said.

He recalled that to give a systematic and substantive nature to these efforts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has entrusted the special representative for facilitating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan with the relevant functions.

“Khovaev regularly visits Baku and Yerevan to consult on the peace treaty and to search for common ground in our partners’ positions to facilitate their agreement on the draft treaty. His next visits to the region will happen this month,” Gonchar added.