Azerbaijan is Russia's strategic partner in South Caucasus, Russian top official says

Mr. Mironov will visit the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, Tuesday.

The Russian Speaker described the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan as "good and solid," and said there are no any problems between the two countries.

On his forthcoming Baku visit, Sergey Mironov noted he is very pleased that he would meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, whom he said he knows very well.

Mr. Mironov said he will also meet with Milli Majlis Speaker Oqtay Asadov to discuss ways of continuing meetings of parliamentary speakers from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia (the format is also known as 'Caucasian Four').

On the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, the Russian Speaker said he regrets that the sides have not yet managed to find any resolution.

He described the dispute as all-Caucasian problem, and said the conflict would continue being the main source of instability in the Caucasus, until it is solved.

He reiterated Russia's stance on the issue, saying that the conflict's resolution depends on Baku and Yerevan, and that his country will support any agreement the two countries come to.

"We cannot let the conflict be frozen, especially from the diplomatic point of view. Russia stands for continuation of talks between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, and for the conflict's solution in a way, that will be acceptable to both countries," the Speaker said.

Mr. Mironov also pointed to good relations between presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, and said "there is a huge potential to enhance the bilateral cooperation in all spheres."

Sergey Mironov, who will visit Turkey after Azerbaijan, said in Ankara he will discuss mainly international issues, including situation in Iraq, Syria and Iran. AzerTAg