“Russia is satisfied with the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, which is based on an intensive dialogue at the level of Presidents and foreign ministers of the two countries,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a press conference.

Lavrov noted that he exchanged visits with his Azerbaijani counterpart last year. He also said that Russia and Azerbaijan regularly held humanitarian events, pointing out that there has been an increase in the amount of trade turnover and mutual investments between the two countries.

“We are actively developing these relations. To regulate them, special documents are required, therefore a special intergovernmental commission is operating in various fields. We are pleased at the level of strategic partnership we achieved in our relations with Azerbaijan,” the Russian FM added.

In his response to the question on the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Lavrov noted that Russia expects some positive impulses from Azerbaijan and Armenia on the settlement of the conflict. “It is pleasant that the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents as well as foreign ministers of both countries’ met last year. Those meetings were also attended by the delegations of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries.”

The Russian FM emphasized that the main task today is to take additional steps to stabilize the situation on the contact line of the troops. “This will also contribute to the transition of a political settlement. It is impossible to settle this conflict by one document for once and for all. This issue requires taking an step-by-step approach. This approach will reveal the possible steps which can be taken immediately and define which additional discussions are needed for the settling the conflict and the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,” FM Lavrov said.

He also mentioned that Russia, together with the US and France, are doing whatever it takes to pave the way for such a settlement.

Farida Abdullayeva

Special Correspondent

Moscow