News - Russia deputy FM: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict not over yet

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is not over yet, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told RBC. "First of all, let me say that the cessation of hostilities on September 20 was achieved through the mediation of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, which was deployed in Karabakh in accordance with the tripartite agreements between the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Thus, Russia continued to fulfill its most important stabilizing role in the South Caucasus... At the same time, I believe that the end of the conflict situation has not yet come. And here the complex of tripartite agreements between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia remains relevant," Galuzin said. "It is about reaching agreements on such important components as the unblocking of transport communications and economic ties between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the delimitation of the border with its future demarcation, the signing of a peace treaty, and the establishment of contacts between public figures, expert communities, parliamentarians of Azerbaijan and Armenia," he added. "All this taken together should lead to mutually acceptable conditions for the normalization of relations, which will be enshrined in the future agreement. And Russia, as an honest mediator which has partnership and allied relations with both countries, will strive to help ensure that stable, balanced agreements are reached between our two neighbors," Russian deputy FM concluded.