Lavrov: Relations between Russia and Armenia are not limited to the Karabakh problem

ArmInfo. Relations between Russia and Armenia are not limited to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in an interview with AiF (Arguments and Facts Russian newspaper, Ed. note).  

So, to clarify whether Russia managed to maintain warm relations with Armenia, despite the unfavorable outcome of the armed conflict in Karabakh, Lavrov assured that Russian-Armenian relations have been tested by time.

"I have no doubts that they will continue to develop in the spirit of mutual trust, strategic partnership and allied interaction. Our country is always ready to lend a shoulder to the fraternal Armenian people," the chief diplomat of Russia said.

According to him, this was evidenced by the mediation efforts of Russia, personally President Putin, thanks to which it was possible to achieve an end to the military confrontation in Nagorno-Karabakh in the fall of 2020, to launch the process of normalizing the situation in the region.

At the same time, he believes that today we can say that the trilateral agreements of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, recorded in their statements of November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021, are generally being successfully implemented.

"This concerns, in particular, the elimination of the humanitarian and socio-economic consequences of the conflict, the unblocking of transport and economic ties in the South Caucasus. Russian assistance is highly appreciated by our Armenian friends.

It is also important to understand that relations between Russia and Armenia are not limited to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem. We have established an unprecedented active and trusting political dialogue at the highest and other levels. This year alone, our leaders have met twice and have had many telephone conversations. In early May, I paid a visit to Yerevan. Inter-parliamentary exchanges are being carried out, "the Russian Foreign Minister said.

At the same time, he stated that in the interests of overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, Russia has supplied several tens of thousands of Sputnik V vaccines to Armenia. "We are working on the issue of further assistance. We are successfully developing ties in trade and economy, which is facilitated by regular meetings of the co-chairs of the Russian-Armenian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation," Lavrov said.

Answering the question about the contradictions between Russia and Turkey, including on the Karabakh issue, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict since January 30, a center has been operating jointly with Turkish partners to control the ceasefire and all hostilities.

"This center monitors possible violations exclusively by means of visual observation.

Thus, without underestimating the existing disagreements, while developing cooperation with Turkey, we will continue to be guided by the strategic vision of our common interests. I am sure this meets the aspirations of both the Russian and Turkish peoples, "Lavrov summed up.