Russian president to meet Armenian, Azeri counterparts: Lavrov

August 4, 2014 - 23:56 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Minsk Group exerts every effort to reach a peace agreement on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday, Aug 4.

“Of course, we’re concerned over the recent incidents at the line of contact,” Lavrov said in an interview with ITAR-TASS Russian news agency. "

“This week the Russian president is planning to have separate meetings with the Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts in Sochi, and the Karabakh issue will probably be discussed,” Lavrov said, adding that the discussions will focus on trust-building measures and reduction of the risk of new hostilities.

"We’re taking efforts together with the American and French partners to help resolve problems that prevent us from signing an agreement on the basic settlement principles,” he added.

“Such political resolution would allow us to normalize the atmosphere, although it's not easy,” the Russian minister said.

Lavrov emphasised the need to help Armenia and Azerbaijan “find the wording acceptable for every party”.

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.