V. Putin: "Intervention is a huge risk"
Russian and Turkish Prime Ministers Vladimir Putin and Receb Tayyib Erdogan had a meeting today in Istanbul.
The Russian Prime Minister is in Turkey on the sidelines of an international conference on Asian Cooperation.
According to the Turkish "Hurriyet", Putin and Erdogan held a very warm meeting, shook hands and hugged.
Then, during a closed-door working breakfast, the Russian and Turkish Prime Ministers discussed a number of issues and informed about them during a joint press conference.
Erdogan informed about the signing of a Turkish-Russian agreement on cooperation in the sphere of atomic energy, while Putin mentioned that the Iran-based Busher atomic station will start functioning in August 2010.
During the conference, the Russian PM also touched upon the Karabakh conflict and noted that nobody has the right to pressure or impose anything on either side.
"Intervention in the peace process is dangerous and Russia wouldn't want Armenia or Azerbaijan to say there is pressure on them," said Putin.
According to Putin, Armenian and Azeri officials must discuss the issue and continue the dialogue, while other countries can play the role of intermediaries.
"We must be patient because the issue is very complicated. We must reach a solution that will be acceptable for both parties. Armenia and Azerbaijan must settle the conflict and other countries must help them. We can't force them to take a decision and we can't pressure them," Vladimir Putin announced.
As far as the events concerning Iran's nuclear program, the Russian Prime Minister informed that he is preparing to discuss the issue with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad during the conference.
Let us mention that Ahmadinejad has announced that if the UN Security Council sets new sanctions against Tehran, Iran will suspend all talks about the nuclear program.
