Vladimir Kazimirov: Russia to play its positive role in the final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS:

"I hope that Russia will play its positive role in the final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict", former Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk group Vladimir Kazimirov said, speaking to Armenpress. "The atmosphere of bilateral distrust existing among the conflicting parties aroused additional obstacles in the activity of mediators, but I think that Russia must not be tired of its mediation activity", Kazimirov said.

He reminded that in the beginning of the negotiation process the Minsk conference was presided by Italians, after a year and a half they were "tired" as this process was rather expensive and was not bringing big privileges to the Italian diplomacy. Afterwards, the presidency passed to Sweden and then to Finland. Already during Sweden's presidency the co-chairmanship was formed with Russia. During the OSCE Lisbon Summit France replaced Finland. "It raised big discontent in Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliev was thinking about the influence of big Armenian diasporas in France and Russia. In this condition the USA wished to join the parties. This is the way of trilateral co-chairmanship was formed", the Russian diplomat presented the history.

"Russia's intensive activity in the process of conflict settlement was noticeably intensive as compared with France and the USA. I do not say it for blaming these countries. It happens objectively", he said, adding that even Iran and Turkey which are situated in neighborhood are not so interested in the settlement of the issue as Russia. "This issue is more painful for us and it is natural", Kazimirov said.