Maria Zakharova: Russia played decisive role in ending April battles for Karabakh

Russia will continue its mediatory mission regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said today, the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza reports.

"Russia intends to continue its mediatory mission regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, together with other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on the basis of the joined statements made by the presidents of Russia, France, and the United States, which indicate that there is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The co-chairs countries also call on the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents to try to resolve the conflict by avoiding the use of force, respecting territorial integrity, and giving the peoples the right to self-determination," Maria Zakharova noted in the first place.

She noted that Russia will continue making independent efforts. "Within the framework of the coordinated approaches, Russia's independent efforts will be continued, taking into account its especially close relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan, their deep prehistory, which will allow them to openly exchange opinions on key issues," the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry drew attention, recalling Russia's achievements in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“The ceasefire agreement of 1994 was signed specifically on Russia’s initiative. As you know, it is still the basis of the ceasefire. The adoption of the Moscow Declaration in 2008, which refers to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through political means by continuing a direct dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia was an important step on the path of mediation efforts of our country. This is the first and so far the only document on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, signed by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia. In 2011, Russia initiated a decision to investigate armed incidents," she listed.

"Moreover, the restoration of the ceasefire on the contact line in April 2016 became possible thanks the Russian side’s efforts. The observance of all these agreements is an important condition for the consistent continuation of the peace process aimed at achieving a sustainable settlement," Maria Zakharova concluded.