Statements and the desire of Kazakhstan holding OSCE presidency to facilitate the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed to resolve the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict must be regarded positively, since Kazakhstan is a CSTO member and an ally of Armenia, RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said in an interview to Armenian Public Television.

The foreign minister stressed that Armenia seeks to deepen strategic and allied relations with Russia and expand friendly relations with the United States and the European Union. "With our neighbors - Georgia and Iran, we wish to develop and deepen the friendly relations," the Minister said.

According to him, the early resolution of disagreements between Russia and Georgia, as well as between the U.S. and Iran is beneficial to Armenia.

According to RA Foreign Minister, Armenia has been able to act as a mediator. "A vivid example were the talks over the opening of the PPC Upper Lars. These talks were mediated by Yerevan and today the checkpoint is open. This is a great success for both Russia and Georgia, and Armenia, " Edward Nalbandian said.

After nearly a four-year hiatus checkpoints Kazbegi (Georgia) and the Upper Lars (RF) on the Georgia-Russia border returned to work since the morning of March 1.

The decision to resume communication between the two countries through these checkpoints was taken in accordance with agreements reached at the meetings of Georgian and Russian experts on October 28 and November 23 last year. The first meeting was held in Yerevan, Armenia through the second - in Kazbegi through Switzerland mediation.

Both check points will be open daily from March 1 to November 1 from 06:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and from November 1 to March 1 - from 07:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.