V. Putin: Armenia and Azerbaijan must resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict themselves
“Any interference or pressure on one side of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is very risky. Russia would not like Azerbaijan and Armenia to say that they are being pressed,” Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday, Trend news agency reported.
"Not only one side bears responsibility while resolving such conflicts. Officials of both countries must discuss this issue and continue the dialogue", Putin said.
He said that a solution to the conflict, acceptable by both parties, must be achieved.
"Other countries can act only as mediators in this issue. Patience is required, because the issue is very complicated," Prime Minister said.
Putin said that Armenia and Azerbaijan must resolve the conflict themselves. Russia and other countries are ready to provide them with necessary assistance.
"We can not compel the parties to make a decision. We can not put pressure on them", Putin said.
The Nagorno-Karabakh (armed) conflict broke out back in 1991, when, subsequent to the demand for self-determination of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, Azerbaijani authorities attempted to resolve the issue through ethnic cleansings, carried out by Soviet security forces (KGB special units) under the pretext of the implementation of the passport regime and by launching of large-scale military operations, which left thousands dead and caused considerable material damage. A cease-fire agreement was established in 1994. Negotiations on the settlement of the conflict are being conducted under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen (Russia, USA, France) and on the basis of their Madrid proposals, presented in November, 2007.
Azerbaijan has not yet implemented the 4 resolutions of the UN Security Council adopted in 1993, by continuing to provoke arms race in the region and openly violating on of the basic principles of the international law non-use of force or threat of force.