Artsakh conflict settlement depends on the political will of Armenia and Azerbaijan: Lavrov
Allied and strategic partnership relations between Russia and Armenia have become really all-embracing by the time the two countries mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Novoye Vremya newspaper, TASS reported.
“April 3, 2017, marks a significant event the 25th anniversary since the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia established diplomatic relations. This date emblematizes a new stage in RussianArmenian ties that have a history of several centuries,” Lavrov said, adding that the political dialogue, parliamentary ties are developing between the two states, inter-governmental commissions on economic and defense cooperation, as well as inter-parliamentary commission are working.
“The allied and strategic partnership relations between the two countries are really all-embracing”, Lavrov said. The Russian FM stated Russia is Armenia’s leading trade-economic partner.
“Despite the unstable situation of global economy, last year the trade turnover grew by 6% and reached 1.34 billion USD, including due to the increase of supplies of Armenian agricultural products to the Russian market,” the Minister said.
He said new horizons opened after Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union. “We are working together on adapting the republic’s economy to the rules of the Eurasian Economic Union,” he said.
Lavrov stated Russia welcomes Armenia’s contribution to providing humanitarian aid to Syrian people. He said Russia and Armenia are closely cooperating in leading multilateral platforms. As for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Lavrov said Moscow remains the active participant in the conflict settlement. According to him, the conflict settlement depends on the political will of Armenia and Azerbaijan and their readiness for compromise solutions.
“Jointly with the United States and France we are helping the parties to reach sustainable solution to the conflict”, Sergey Lavrov said