July 18, 2011 - 14:31 AMT
Elmar Mamedyarov replies to Medvedev’s proposal on Karabakh in Moscow

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamedyarov conveyed official Baku’s reply to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s proposal on Karabakh during his visit to Moscow.

“The meeting in Kazan was a step forward considering that discussions focused on clear-cut problems and convergence was sensed on some of them,” Mamedyarov said, as reported by Russia 24 TV channel.

“On the whole, we think that we must continue talks on topics that have not been coordinated yet. We must start discussion over a legal document, that is, peace treaty,” said the Minister adding that Peace treaty is designed to become a serious signal announcing the final stage of negotiations.

Azerbaijan is not responsible for everything in talks, according to him.

“We have to wait for the Armenia’s reply to the same proposals, but we also recorded progress in negotiations; we are constantly approaching the line when all will understand that current situation is disadvantageous for all including our neighbors,” Azeri Foreign Minister said.

In turn, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that Russian side will scrutinize the reply of Azeri President to President Medvedev. “Russia aids states to seek for upshot of Karabakh problem within the frames of OSCE along with U.S. and France,” said Lavrov during the joint press conference.

“Nagorno Karabakh resolution is a priority issue for Russia. Draft basic principles starts from intention of parties to work on peace treaty. Our efforts will continue within the format of our relations with both countries and as a co-chair country of OSCE MG,” Russia’s Foreign Minister said.

In early July, 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. “The proposals on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement were formulated following the outcomes of the meeting between the Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents in Kazan.,” Lavrov said.

At June 24 meeting in Kazan, the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia failed to sign an agreement on basic principles of Karabakh conflict settlement. As Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian noted later, despite the OSCE MG co-chairs’ efforts, Azerbaijan was not ready to accept the final version of basic principles, presenting ten new amendments at the last moment.