Russian Foreign Minister’s visit to Azerbaijan comes to an end

An official two-day visit to Azerbaijan by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has ended. During this visit he met with the President and with the Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs, and also delivered a lecture to students at the Diplomatic Academy.

President Aliyev and Minister Lavrov reaffirmed the interest each of their countries has in a speedy and peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict; talks take place within the framework of proposals made by the the OSCE Minsk Group.

“All steps have repeatedly been discussed and reflected in OSCE documents and statements by the co-chairs. The menu is on the table,” Lavrov stated at a joint press conference of ministers after the visit ended.

Answering a question at the Diplomatic Academy, Lavrov said that the deterioration of relations between Russia and the United States does not affect negotiations on settling the Karabakh conflict.

“The Karabakh conflict is unique in the sense that, despite strong disagreements which have accumulated in the Russophobic politics of the US, the position of Washington regarding the conflict has been preserved,” he responded.

According to him Russia, along with the United States and France, takes a common position.

“I hope that last month’s meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia will allow us to overcome a certain stagnation in our common efforts and allow us to move forward in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” concluded the Foreign Minister.

Lavrov also said that Russia isn’t attaching any political importance to the recently launched Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway.

“Russia has nothing to do with it and the railway doesn’t pass through our territory. There are many analysts who regard this project in a political context, and someone has stayed out of it. We are not taking this approach,” said Lavrov.

The Russian minister also spoke highly of the agreement between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran on the “North-South” infrastructure, saying that such things will only enrich the region.

Lavrov said that Azerbaijan and Russia are strategic partners between whom an active cooperation has been established, and stated that the countries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

Lavrov’s words evoked great interest when he said that Russia would be happy to see Azerbaijan in the Eurasian Economic Union.

“The present matter is incorporating Tajikistan into the organization. We also accept applications from non-CIS countries. We would be very happy to see Azerbaijan become a part of this organization.”

Minister Lavrov set out for Yerevan today.