December 2, 2021 - 11:13 AMT
Lavrov mentions Russia's "key role" in Karabakh, Armenia-Azerbaijan

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has spoken about the "key role" that Moscow plays in finding sustainable solutions to "contentious issues" between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Addressing the Federation Council of Russia's Federal Assembly on Wednesday, December 1, Lavrov said efforts to overcome multiple regional conflicts remain in Moscow's focus.

"Russia is making a concrete contribution to resolving such crises. These [include] the key role in ending the bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh and finding sustainable solutions to contentious issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan," Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign policy chief also cited Russia's involvement in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, the situation with the Iran nuclear program, the Israeli-Palestinian matters and others.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev on November 9, 2020 signed a statement to end the war in Karabakh after almost 45 days. Under the deal, the Armenian side returned all the seven regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, having lost a part of Karabakh itself in hostilities.