Putin and Tokayev discuss Karabakh settlement

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Kremlin press service reported.

The leaders spoke highly of the results of the SCO Heads of State Council meeting, which was chaired by the President of Russia yesterday. They emphasised the fruitfulness of the discussions and the importance of the decisions taken for the further development of cooperation within the SCO.

The President of Kazakhstan noted the effectiveness of Russia’s efforts to cease the fire and hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. Both sides expressed confidence that the package of measures agreed on November 9 at the highest level creates the preconditions for a long-term and full-scale settlement of the crisis around Nagorno-Karabakh in the interests of the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples.

The presidents also addressed a number of current issues on the bilateral agenda, with an emphasis on enhancing cooperation to fight the coronavirus, including plans to launch joint production of vaccines in Kazakhstan.

On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Russian leader said the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides would remain on the positions they hold and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region. Besides, Armenia and Azerbaijan should carry out the exchange of prisoners of war and the bodies of those killed. Aghdam region will be returned to Azerbaijan before November 20, Kelbajar region - before November 15, Lachin region - before December 1.