Tuesday, July 31 2018 14:19

ArmInfo. Russia in every possible way welcomes contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, contributing to the development of a mutually respectful dialogue between the two countries, Official Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova stated in an interview to Sputnik Azerbaijan.

"Moscow welcomes contacts between Baku and Yerevan, and we are  sincerely glad that these contacts continue on the agreement of the  two sides, and we have always welcomed and always contributed to the  development of a mutually respectful dialogue between the two  countries. We have always considered that through dialogue, through  stimulation of this communication between the two capitals and the  achievement of positive results, it is possible to move forward and  resolve the existing problematic issues. Russia, being a mediator in  the settlement of the Karabakh problem, as well as friend of both  Armenia and Azerbaijan is interested in the settlement'', Zakharova  said. At the same time, as she pointed out, historically, Russia has  proved to be a responsible intermediary, who repeatedly demonstrated  in practice its constructive intermediary role. "This will continue  in the future," she added in response to a request to comment on the  recent statement of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that  "Russia has all the levers, all the possibilities to prevent the war  in Karabakh." 

Moscow clearly states its official position related to the Karabakh  settlement. This position is consistent, Zakharova believes. The  representative of the foreign ministry also touched upon the recent  visit to Azerbaijan of a group of Russian experts and deputies who  visited positions on the contact line with Karabakh and voiced a  number of statements in support of the "territorial integrity of  Azerbaijan." According to Zakharova, in any country with a democratic  society, there are many experts and politicians who express their  point of view. This is not a state opinion, but they have the right  to express it. "But every time questions arise about  Moscow's  official stance, you can be sure that our position on the Karabakh  issue is clear, it has never been ambiguous, has never been aimed at  flirting, all efforts have been focused on an intermediary role, the  ultimate goal of which is the achievement of mutually acceptable  agreements, "Zakharova added. 

As of today, consist¥ncy of stances of the large states and major  players in international affairs is one of the most important factors  of world stability. And Russia is among these states, she added.  According to her, both Baku and Yerevan know that Moscow is a  reliable partner in this sense. The parties have confidence in Moscow  and its role.