Armen Smbatyan and Polad Bulbuloglu left Yerevan for Baku

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian and Azeri Ambassadors to Russia Armen Smbatyan and Polad Bulbuloglu, and Russian President's Envoy for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy met RA President Serzh Sargsyan upon their arrival in Armenia from NKR.



"We're here to help people of Armenia and Azerbaijan. We don't wish to interfere in the course of political negotiations between NKR conflict parties. We, as representatives of both countries' intelligentsia would like to assist in the establishment of peace and creation of the atmosphere of trust," Mikhail Shvydkoy said after the meeting with RA President.



In his turn, Azeri Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu emphasized that they're unwilling to interfere in the political process of NKR conflict settlement. "We thank RA and Azeri Presidents for meetings conducted. The meeting with Serzh Sargsyan was conducted in a constructive atmosphere," Polad Bulbuloglu emphasized.



Armen Smbatyan noted that relations between RA and Azeri people should be normalized, and people of authority must contribute to this process. Upon completion of meeting with RA President, Armen Smbatyan and Polad Bulbuloglu left Yerevan for Baku.



The first visit of Armenian and Azeri intelligentsia to Stepanakert, Yerevan and Baku took place on June 28, 2007, on the initiative of Ambassadors Armen Smbatyan and Polad Bulbuloglu.



NKR conflict started in 1988, after Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region announced its disconnection from Azerbaijan. Based on working USSR constitution, the step was legally formalized at Dec 10, 1991's referendum, where 99,89% of NKR population voted for complete independence from Azerbaijan.



Large-scale military activities followed, instigated by Azerbaijan, which lost control over NKR territory and 7 adjusting regions in spring 1994.



An agreement on ceasefire in conflict zone came into effect on May 12, 1994. The conflict resulted in the death of around 30 000 people, 1 million became refugees.



Negotiation for peaceful settlement of NKR conflict have been conducted since 1992 within MG OSCE framework, with USA, Russia and France as Co-Chairs.



Currently conflict settlement negotiations are being conducted in accordance with principles worked out by MG OSCE in Madrid. Contents of Madrid Principles haven't been publicized yet.