Konstantin Zatulin, Director of Institute of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

Nagorno Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan, while the conflict settlement requires certain territories to be returned, Konstantin Zatulin, Director of Institute of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) stated on Thursday in Yerevan.

“In my opinion it is highly unlikely to see Karabakh to be part of Soviet Azerbaijan, since no Soviet Azerbaijan exists. The time when the Soviet Union was in process of dissolution, Azerbaijan had no more control over considerable parts of Nagorno Karabakh. Nevertheless, there are certain territories that are to be returned for the conflict settlement,” noted Zatulin, who is paying visit to Armenia to participate in the fourth joint session of Russia’s Federal Assembly State Duma Committee on the CIS Affairs and Armenian National Assembly Standing Committee on External Affairs.

Speaking of the April events, Zatulin stressed Russia condemns Azerbaijani actions and remains keen on eliminating distrust among the Armenian public.

“We look to end those days, the sentiments in the Armenian public, dobting Russia’s partnering relations. Steps taken by the heads of our countries are aimed at eliminating those suspicions.  As you know the two ministers of defense signed an agreement on creating joint Russian and Armenian military forces. Aside from that, Armenia was provided with “Iskander” missile system this summer. To note, this is the first case when such a system is transferred to other state and seeks to maintain the balance in the region,” explained Zatulin.