Armenia to reply to Medvedev’s suggestions on Karabakh settlement in near future

July 18, 2011 - 19:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia will reply to suggestions of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Karabakh settlement in near future, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian stated during a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

The telephone conversation focused on various aspects of Karabakh settlement, with the parties stressing the necessity to implement agreements reached during the meeting of Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents in Sochi and Astrakhan.

The Foreign Ministers further stressed the importance of strict observation of ceasefire, strengthening of trust and cooperation in investigation of incidents at the line of contact.

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.

While on visit to Moscow, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has passed over Baku’s reply to President Medvedev’s suggestions to Russian side.

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.