Monday, June 7 2021 19:28

ArmInfo. Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of the European Council  Charles Michel discussed the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh during a  telephone conversation.

According to the Kremlin, during the conversation, issues of  relations between Russia and the European Union, as well as a number  of pressing international problems were thoroughly considered.

As Vladimir Putin emphasized, although Russia and the European Union  remain very significant partners for each other in the field of trade  and investment, nevertheless, the current state of Russian-EU  relations cannot be considered satisfactory. It was noted that  returning to cooperation in a pragmatic and respectful manner would  meet common interests. A mutual opinion was expressed on the  importance of enhancing interaction in such specific areas as health  care, the climate agenda, and the resolution of regional conflicts.

The issues of combating the spread of coronavirus infection were  touched upon, including the prospects for certification in the EU of  the Russian drug Sputnik V and the provision of conditions for mutual  trips of citizens, subject to anti-epidemic restrictions.

The current situation around Nagorno-Karabakh was discussed, taking  into account the importance of further consistent implementation of  the Statements of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of  November 9, 2020 and January 11, 2021. Among the priority tasks are  the unblocking of economic and transport links in the region, the  solution of humanitarian problems of the population. Charles Michel  expressed support for the work being carried out, including through  the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, USA, France).

In connection with the additional measures of sanctions pressure on  Belarus taken by the European Union, Vladimir Putin stressed the  counterproductiveness of this approach, as well as any attempts to  interfere in the internal affairs of this sovereign state in general.

When exchanging views on the internal Ukrainian crisis, it was stated  on both sides that the Minsk "Package of Measures" of 2015 remains  the uncontested basis for settlement. The President of Russia  emphasized the need for the Kiev authorities to strictly implement  all previously reached agreements, primarily on establishing a direct  dialogue with Donetsk and Lugansk and legalizing the special status  of Donbass.

During the discussion of the situation in Libya, Vladimir Putin and  Charles Michel spoke in favor of further assistance in the  advancement of the political process and support for the established  authorities during the transition period.