ArmInfo. Moscow attaches importance to close adherence to the trilateral statement by the Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders, including the agreement reached at the meeting in Sochi on October 31, Maria Zakharova, Spokesperson for the Russian foreign office, told a news briefing on Thursday as she responded to a request to comment on a gross violation of the aforementioned agreements by Azerbaijan.
"Of course, we attach importance to refraining from provocative rhetoric, which could escalate the situation in the region. Russia is maintaining regular contacts with both the sides - both at the political level, including the heads of state and the foreign ministers, and on the ground, with the peacekeeping contingent, the RF Frontier Service to prevent armed incidents," she said.
Moscow will continue its work aimed at normalizing Armenian-Azerbaijani relations for peace to be established in the South Caucasus.
As to how the Kremlin plans to find consensus between Baku and Yerevan on the Armenian premier's statement yesterday, as Russia proposed postponing the issue of Artsakh's status and not including it in the peace agreement, which is acceptable to Armenia, whereas Azerbaijan rejected this proposal, Ms Zakharova said that the question should be addressed to the Kremlin as their duties are separate.
The issue of an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agreement, as well as others related to rapprochement between the two nations, is a rather sensitive one. "We do not consider it advisable to comment on the sides' positions before they reach specific agreements, which has repeatedly been stated," Ms Zakharova said.
Last week, IgorrKhovayev, Special Representative of the Russian FM, visited Yerevan. He held a number of consultations with Armenia's political leadership.
"He is now in Baku to meet with the Azerbaijani side. The sides are also discussing the peace agreement," Ms Zakharova said.