Moscow says no military conflict will break out over Nagorno-Karabakh

/By AzerNews/

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

In comments to the press Russian foreign minister clearly stated that his country does not believe a military conflict will break out in between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh, even if the rhetoric coming from both Baku and Yerevan could lead to believe otherwise.

In an interview following a meeting with the Armenian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov told local media that neither Armenia, nor Azerbaijan want to experience war.

"Russia's efforts towards the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict aim at finding a mutually acceptable resolution," Lavrov said.

He added that Moscow will keep on exerting its efforts on creating all necessary conditions for settling the conflict in Karabakh based upon mutually acceptable terms.

"Contacts are continuing on a regular basis, and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs constantly visit the region, including trips to the line of contact. The presidents of the co-chairing countries attach particular attention towards finding ways in which to resolve the conflict. President Vladimir Putin undertook special efforts last year in view of the conflict's resolution and since we have held several consultations on implementing practical steps," Lavrov said.

Lavrov's words are a clear reflection of Russia's intent to foster long-lasting stability in the region - beginning with the swift resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Lavrov personally called on the Armenian authorities earlier this January to deescalate tensions in view of the Azerbaijani hostages situation when Baku's nationals were captured in the occupied Kalbajar district in July 2014. One of the detainees judged in Nagorno-Karabakh, Dilgam Asgarov, is an ethnic Azerbaijani holding Russian citizenship.

Moscow has numerously called on the conflicting parties to restraint from attempts causing any military escalations. On the background of deteriorating diplomatic ties with Tbilisi, rulers in the Kremlin see the tranquil relations in between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a guarantee of regional stability.

Keeping Azerbaijan aside from entering a hot standoff with Armenia serves also to guarantee Russia's both political and economic leverages in the region.

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh was sparked after Armenian troops invaded large swathes of land in Azerbaijan in the early 1990s. Following bloody skirmishes, Armenia armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized and historical territory. The conflict has yet to be resolved since Armenia has systematically refused to abide by international calls to withdraw from the Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other adjacent regions.