Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh in detail and confirmed their mutual readiness to continue the coordination on various aspects of the peaceful settlement, Kremlin press service said.
"Russian President underscored that the situation in the region stabilizes itself, and the November 9 agreements, achieved by the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia - are generally being complied with. The sides noted a successful work of the Russian peacekeepers, who ensure the ceasefire and the safety of civilians under the request of Baku and Yerevan. The sides confirmed mutual readiness for further coordination on various aspects of the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh, within the OSCE Minsk Group in particular," the press service said.
Humanitarian problems, connected to repatriation of refugees, restoration of infrastructure, preservation of religious and cultural memorials were named as the most pressing issues.
Putin and Macron also exchanged opinions on settling the internal Ukrainian conflict and agreed on continuing work in the Normandy format, the Kremlin press service reported.
"During the exchange of opinions on issues of settling the internal Ukrainian conflict an interest was expressed to activate efforts in order to implement key provisions of the 2015 Minsk Agreements as well as decisions coordinated at the "Normandy Summit" on December 9, 2019 in Paris. Due to that, the Russian side again emphasized the necessity of Ukraine fulfilling its obligations on the political aspects of settlement, including the legalization of the special status of Donbass and enshrining the "Steinmeier formula" in the national legislation. It was agreed on continuing work within the framework of the Normandy format," the statement said.
The two heads of state also addressed stepping up cooperation in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the Kremlin press service reported.
"A number of pressing issues of the bilateral cooperation were touched upon with the emphasis on fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The intention to develop contacts between relevant organizations of the two countries on issues of vaccine production and mass inoculation of residents was confirmed," the statement said.
Syria, Libya and Iran were among other issues, raised by the two leaders during their phone conversation.
"Regarding the situation around Iran’s nuclear program, both sides stated the demand for collective efforts directed at preservation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA - TASS). The current situation in Syria and Libya was discussed. Regarding Libya, the importance of observance of a ceasefire regime and promotion of the effective political process with the participation of representatives of all key Libyan forces was noted," the statement said.
