BAKU (ZERKALO)–Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov–who arrived in Moscow on August 17 for a two-day official visit–revealed details about his trip to "Zerkalo" newspaper shortly before his departure.
Noting that the meeting will mark the first with his Russian counterpart–Mammadyarov stated that Russia’s involvement in the Mountainous Karabagh settlement and within the OSCE Minsk Group will be on the top of his meeting agenda. Mammadyarov said that other issues he will raise during the visit deal primarily with the economic relations between the two countries.
According to the Azeri minister–Russia–along with the other Minsk Group chairmen–plays a crucial role in the settlement of the Karabagh conflict and that regional stability depends on the conflict’s resolution.
"The emergence of political stability and economic development within the Caucuses is beneficial to all parties interested in the region," said Mammadyarov–adding that Russia has "deep" relations with Armenia–although it has economic interests in Azerbaijan.
"Moving onto Russia’s stance on the Karabagh issue–it must be noted that there are many in Russia who believe that if their country displays greater interest in the conflict’s resolution–stability within the Caucuses will be achieved much sooner," Mammadyarov stated.
Commenting on the belief held by some in military circles who identify military action as the only viable solution to the problem–Mammadyarov said: "I am this country’s Foreign Minister–not the Defense Minister–and I will struggle to the end in order to find a peaceful solution to the conflict."