Lavrov: Situation in Armenia is still boiling, but it is domestic affair

September 3, 2018 By administrator

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed concern over the fact that the situation in Armenia is still boiling but added that it is the country’s domestic affair, TASS reported.

“We are concerned that the situation in Armenia is still boiling, in particular, events that took place ten years ago are being investigated and arrests are taking place,” Lavrov said during his meeting with the students of Moscow State Institute of International Relations. “We believe that it is Armenia’s domestic affair and would like these domestic affairs to remain based on the country’s laws and constitution so that they can be resolved as soon as possible and Armenia can focus on creative tasks.”

According to Lavrov, it is in Russia’s interest that the situation in countries with which it has allied relations and those of strategic partnership remains stable “and domestic processes remain based on the constitution so that there are conditions for economic development and social welfare improvements.” “This is what we have been trying to ensure, particularly through our integration association – the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) – and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO),” he said.

“We have been keeping an eye on the events that took place after the constitutional provision, which transferred all major powers from the president to the prime minister elected by the country’s parliament, had come into effect,” Lavrov said.

“We took no actions and made no statements that by any stretch of the imagination could be taken as interference in domestic affairs… I cannot say that other players acted in the same way.”

Return of land possible only when determining Karabakh status: Lavrov VIDEO

January 17, 2017 By administrator

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday, January 17 that the requirement to liberate “the occupied territories” of Nagorno Karabakh still remains on the agenda, but in no case by the use of force and exclusively upon determining the final status of Karabakh.

Commenting on the settlement of the conflict, the Russian foreign policy chief stressed that it is not an abstract notion and “is not merely a matter of Azerbaijan’s internal affairs.”

According to him, agreements on the implementation of a mechanism for investigating incidents and the increase in the number of observers in the conflict zone has not yet been implemented due to lack of consensus within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Azeri leader Ilham Aliyev met on June 20 in Saint Petersburg to address the conflict, with Russian President Vladimir Putin mediating the talks. The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents confirmed their commitment to the implementation of agreements reached at a Vienna-hosted meeting on May 16. To that end, they agreed to increase the number of international observers in the Karabakh conflict zone. Also, they expressed satisfaction that the ceasefire was now holding. Prior to that, a meeting between both leaders was organized on May 16 in Vienna, with top diplomats from the MG co-chairing countries hosting the summit.

Recalling the bloody events in early April, the Russian diplomat noted that the escalation caused deepest concern. Lavrov at the same time said that “Russia played a decisive role in stopping the bloodshed at that moment.”

Azerbaijan on April 2 launched an overt military offensive against Karabakh, which resulted in hundreds of military and civilian deaths on both sides. Yerevan and Baku reached an agreement on the cessation of hostilities on April 5 in Moscow.

Tass.ru. Лавров сожалеет, что механизм расследования инцидентов в Карабахе пока не реализован

Talks on Nagorno-Karabakh more than ever closer to success – Lavrov

July 12, 2016 By administrator

The sides in Nagorno-Karabakh settlement has moved more than ever closer to success t but it is too early to disclose the details, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday after talks with his Azerbajani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov.

“We have grounds to think that we are now moving much closer to success than ever before,” Lavrov said.

However, the foreign minister said he will not disclose the details of agreements reached between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia at their meeting in St. Petersburg on June 20. “For obvious reasons, we are not publicly disclosing details of those ideas that were discussed at the meeting. The leaders of the three countries agreed after the meeting on June 20 that they will carefully treat those sprouts of hope that are appearing. Not because we are hiding something, it is just an ethical norm at negotiations,” he added.
Talking about progress in talks on Nagorno-Karabakh, Lavrov especially noted his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that took place on July 11. “The conversation was rather useful, and this will help us to move forward toward realization of the understanding reached by the presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia at the meeting in St Petersburg on June 20,” the foreign minister concluded.
On April 2, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh rapidly deteriorated when the parties to the Karabakh conflict accused each other of violating truce along the front line. The claims came from defense authorities of Armenia and of Azerbaijan.
On April 5 Azerbaijan’s Chief of Staff Col. Gen. Nadjmeddin Sadykov and his Armenian counterpart Col. Gen. Yury Khachaturov in Moscow with Russia’s mediation. At the talks the sides reached an agreement on cessation of hostilities at the contact line between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces. On the same day, the defense ministries of the two countries announced that the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh would start at 12am local time.
Though the ceasefire mostly holds, both sides continue to report occasional violations of ceasefire on the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh.
On May 16 the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Vienna. Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev agreed to “make steps to monitor observance of agreements on ceasefire and introduce a mechanism on investigating incidents.” They also agreed to “possible resume the negotiations process on settling the conflict,” the press service of the Armenian president said.
In the trilateral declaration adopted on June 20 after the meeting between the presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in St. Petersburg, the sides confirmed adherence to normalizing the situation on the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenian, Azerbaijani negotiators ready to compromise: Lavrov

May 16, 2016 By administrator

Russian-Foreign-Minister-Sergei-Lavrov The participants of negotiations on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement agreed to adhere to the 1994-1995 ceasefire agreements, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the Vienna-hosted meeting on Monday, May 16.

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev participated in the meeting, also attended by the foreign policy chiefs of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries.

“The parties agreed to ensure compliance with the ceasefire of 1994-1995,” Lavrov said, according to TASS.

“Compromise between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the conflict is possible, but given the current situation, reaching the goal will be gradual.”

“And there are possibilities of coordinating parameters of the first stage of the settlement,” Lavrov said.

“They were formulated with Russia’s mediation – which acted in line with the general approaches of the Co-chairs – and supported by our French and American partners.”

Lavrov said “there is a good reason to believe” that Armenian and Azerbaijani negotiators are ready to compromise.

According to the Russian foreign policy chief, Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents will agree upon the date and venue of their next meeting in June.

Lavrov planning to join Armenian, Azeri Presidents in May 16 meeting

May 12, 2016 By administrator

Russian-Foreign-Minister-Sergei-Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as the U.S. and French foreign policy chiefs are planning to participate in an upcoming meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, RIA Novosti cited a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson as saying Thursday, May 12.

“The Presidents’ meeting is scheduled to take place in Vienna next week,” Maria Zakharova said.

A possible meeting between the leaders was said to be slated for May 16, with the parties set to discuss the situation in Nagorno Karabakh.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France, remain fully committed to mediating a lasting settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a statement published at OSCE website said.

“In light of the recent violence and the urgency of reducing tensions along the line of lontact, we believe the time has come for the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to meet,” the Co-chairs said.

“Our Foreign Ministers are prepared to facilitate this meeting next week in Vienna. Their main objectives will be to reinforce the ceasefire regime, and to seek agreement on confidence-building measures that would create favorable conditions for resuming negotiations on a comprehensive settlement on the basis of elements and principles under discussion.”

Kerry, Lavrov Hold Phone Talks On Karabakh

April 4, 2016 By administrator

Russia — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) greets US Secretary of State John Kerry during a meeting in Moscow, March 24, 2016

US. Secretary State of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in a phone call on Monday, reiterating their governments’ calls for an immediate halt to continuing hostilities there.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two men voiced “serious concern at the escalation of the confrontation” in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict zone.

“It was agreed that Russia, the U.S. and France, as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, will step up their efforts to foster a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” read a ministry statement.

“Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry condemned attempts by certain ‘external players’ to whip up the standoff around Karabakh,” it added without elaborating.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow earlier in the day, Lavrov warned against attempts to “undermine the role of the Minsk Group co-chairs” and seek a different format for the Karabakh negotiation process. He spoke of forces keen to “seriously complicate the settlement process” but did not name them.

Azerbaijan as well as its ally Turkey have repeatedly criticized the U.S., Russian and French mediators.

Lavrov implicitly warned the Turks against meddling in the Karabakh conflict but stopped short of blaming them for the outbreak of heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. “I don’t want to judge what role Ankara has or has not played with regard to Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said. “But it would be good for everyone, including Turkey and the Turkish people, if Ankara concentrated on ending support for terrorism.”

The TASS news agency quoted Lavrov as also saying that that Russia and the two other mediating powers are making “energetic efforts” to stop the fighting along “the line of contact” around Karabakh. “These efforts will continue in order to ensure a return to the ceasefire regime,” he said.

The spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Moscow is engaged in an “intensive dialogue” with Armenia and Azerbaijan “at the ministerial level.” The official, Dmitry Peskov, would not say whether Putin plans to host an emergency meeting of his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts.

“Any summit needs to be properly prepared for,” Peskov said, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

Turkish leaders cross the line of acceptable – Lavrov

November 27, 2015 By administrator

Turkey risks to face a complicated situation in the region, the country’s leaders have crossed the line of acceptable, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the beginning of talks with the Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem on Friday.
Lavrov also thanked Damascus sincerely for the rescue of the Russian pilot, the news agency Tass reports.
“I do not think we now have reasons to discuss our perception of the Turkish provocation against our jet,” the minister said. “Our perception has been presented in most details, first of all by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.”
“We believe the Turkish leaders have crossed the line of the acceptable,” Lavrov said. “They risk bringing Turkey into a most complicated situation — both from the point of view of long-term national interests and from the point of view of the situation in the region.”
Turkey’s attack on the Russian warplane was an unprecedented act of aggression, Syria offers condolences to the families of the dead servicemen, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said on Friday ahead of his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“I want to convey our condolences to the families of the servicemen who died as a result the unprecedented, provocative act of aggression by Turkey,” he said.
Muallem added that he agreed with the remarks of the Russian President Vladimir Putin that such actions were a stab in the back. “We have said for five years now that Turkey helps to support terrorists for ideological reasons, stabbing us in the back every day over a span of five years,” he said.

Russia: Excluding Syrian army from fighting ISIS is absurd – Lavrov

September 13, 2015 By administrator

The Syrian army could be a crucial force in fight against Islamic State, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, reiterating that Russia will support the Syrian government in the fight against the extremist group.

“To exclude Syrian army from fighting Islamic State [formerly ISIS/ISIL] is absurd… Syrian armed forces will be the most effective military force on the ground,” Lavrov said in an interview to Russia’s Channel One TV.

Lavrov added that when there was a question of destroying chemical weapons a year ago, Assad was considered a “legitimate” president of Syria and his actions were welcomed in UN Security Council resolutions.

“A year passed and he [Assad] stopped being legitimate, because the threat is now not chemical weapons or substance but a terror menace,” Lavrov said, describing that as an “ideologized” approach.

“All our western partners, without any exceptions, tell us that they clearly understand what is the main threat in the Middle East and North Africa. And this [threat] is not Assad’s regime, but Islamic State,” he said.

Sometimes the US would not authorize an airstrike on a confirmed Islamic State position, sources in the US-led coalition tell Moscow. That raises questions, Lavrov says.

“I hope that I won’t fail anyone, saying that some of our colleagues from the coalition states say that they receive information where exactly, on which positions the Islamic State troops are located, but the commander of the coalition [of course, from the US] doesn’t approve the strike.”

“I could suspect that apart from the claimed purpose – fighting Islamic State – there is something else [as the aim] of the coalition, ” he added.

Lavrov said that Russia will assist Syrian government in the way it assists the governments of all countries, including the Iraqis, which face the threat of terrorism. Such help includes weapons deliveries as well as assistance of Russian specialists who help to set equipment and teach Syrian troops how to handle such equipment.

Troops loyal to the Assad government are fighting a number of enemies, the most powerful of which are Islamic State and the Al Nusra Front. Only two countries, Russia and Iran, internationally support the Syrian authorities, while all of the Arab world and particularly the Persian Gulf monarchies are backing what they call “moderate” Syrian rebel forces.

About 220,000 people have being killed during the ongoing conflict in the war-torn country which started in 2011.

Source: rt.com

Lavrov: It’s time to intensify talks on Karabakh

July 17, 2015 By administrator

It’s time to intensify talks on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov.

The Russian Minister added that given the general mood and result-oriented approach “we can ensure this progress”, RIA Novosti reported.

Minister Mammadyarov noted that the finalized long talks on Iranian nuclear issue give hope that the Karabakh conflict can be settled.

“The settlement takes the track for an early breakthrough,” Azerbaijani Minister said.

Lavrov: Iraq show total failure of American-British ‘adventure’

June 12, 2014 By administrator

The events in Iraq are a result of the actions carried out by the US and the UK, and the situation has spiraled out of control, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists.

“It has been reported that the UK foreign minister declared that the events in Iraq are, according to him, an illustration that terrorism is rampant in the region due to the absence of reconciliation in Syria,” Lavrov said.

“We’ve known that our English colleagues have a unique ability to twist everything. But I didn’t expect such cynicism, because the events that are taking place in Iraq are an illustration of a complete failure of the venture started by the US and the UK that allowed it to spiral out of control completely.”

“We express our solidarity with the Iraqi authorities, the Iraqi people who should restore peace and security in their country, but the actions of our Western partners raise a lot of questions,” Lavrov marked.

Lavrov noted that 11 years ago the US president announced the victory of democracy in Iraq, and that“the situation has deteriorated in geometrical progression.”

“The unity of Iraq has been called into question. The rampant terrorism is taking place due to the fact that the occupation troops didn’t pay any attention to the interior political processes, didn’t help the national dialogue, and only pursued their own interests,” Lavrov said.

On Monday night, the terrorists seized control of the town Mosul – the administrative center of the northern province of Nineveh. On Wednesday, the authorities informed the population about the fall of Tikrit, the hometown of former leader Saddam Hussein and just 150km from Baghdad.

Sergey Lavrov has also touched on the developments in Ukraine. He said Moscow demands an immediate investigation into the reports of the use of banned weapons in Ukraine.

We emphasize concern over the reports about the use by the Ukrainian military of fire bombs and other indiscriminate weapons. Those reports must be urgently checked,” Lavrov stressed.

He said the Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin “will be calling the OSCE mission which has observers in Ukraine, to establish facts [of using indiscriminate weapons], as well as will strive for the investigation into the tragedies in Odessa on May 2, in Mariupol on May 9, the ongoing actions in Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, and the snipers’ case on Maidan in February – all those probes should be brought to a close.”

“We know that the European Council is ready to be involved in the probe which the Ukrainian authorities carry out. We are convinced that this should be done,” Lavrov stressed.

Russia is also submitting to the UN the draft resolution on Ukraine calling to follow the roadmap the OSCE previously proposed.

“We’ve asked our UN envoy to submit to the UN Security Council the project on the resolution on the Ukrainian situation because the lack of progress on the halt of the violence and military actions since the start of the punitive operation causes concern,” Lavrov said.

At the moment there is no talk about bringing peacemakers to Ukraine, Lavrov said.

“We don’t think that the situation has reached that point yet. There is still hope for a declaration by [Ukrainian President Petro] Poroshenko that the violence will be stopped and the negotiations will begin,”he added.