Medvedev: Russia ready to take responsibility within OSCE MGJuly 30, 2011 - 17:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev considers moral debt of his country to continue supporting talks on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. In an interview to The Business Year, an edition of which is dedicated to Azerbaijan, Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia and Azerbaijan are bound with strong ties of cooperation in various fields. The Russian President also paid peculiar attention to preserving stability in the Caucasus region. For Russia it is very important, and when building relations with Azerbaijan Russia adheres to the concept of preserving safety and peace in the region, according to Medvedev. The Russian President stressed that prolongation of Russian military base deployment term in Armenia is caused by necessity to secure peace and stability as well. Speaking about the role of Russia as a mediator in Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Medvedev underscored that after his engagement the number of meetings between President of Armenia and Azerbaijan increased and reached historical maximum. “I am not ashamed for what we have already done, those meetings and discussions were very important,” he said adding that efforts bring results, negotiations are continuing. The Russian President underlined that Russia is ready to take responsibility within OSCE Minsk Group adding that Russia’s moral debt is to continue supporting talks on Karabakh conflict settlement. 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. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |