Baku studies Medvedev’s proposals on Karabakh settlement

July 9, 2011 - 17:18 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Baku is closely studying proposals of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on karabakh settlement presented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to give a reply upon completion of study, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov stated.

Mammadyarov will discuss Karabakh settlement with his Russian counterpart during his official visit to Moscow July 17-18.

As Turan news agency reported, citing anonymous diplomatic sources in Washington, during his visit to U.S. capital Lavrov plans discussing Russia’s proposals on different levels.

According to the source, in a capacity of OSCE MG co-chair, U.S. supports Russia’s determination to achieve regional peace.

On July 8, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov handed over a personal message and proposals of RF President Dmitry Medvedev to Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev.

At June 24 meeting in Kazan, the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia failed to sign an agreement on basic principles of Karabakh conflict settlement.

As Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian noted later, despite the OSCE MG co-chairs’ efforts, Azerbaijan was not ready to accept the final version of basic principles, presenting ten new amendments at the last moment.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.