RF MFA: “Minsk group format is not exhausted”
The conflicting parties in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have recognized the established format of the OSCE Minsk Group and the activity of the co-chair countries -Russia, France and the US. - as an efficient and competent tool for the conflict resolution, representative of Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Lukashevich told reporters in Baku.
"The recent trilateral meeting organized by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev between Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan made it possible to hope for progress in this complicated process and to step over a more serious stage of talks and drafting of peace agreement," said the Russian official.
Lukashevich reminded that the history of OSCE MG creation goes back to the early 1990s.
"Despite diverse periods of the conflict development, it showed that its potential is not exhausted; Co-Chairs try to be responsive and energetic assisting to Yerevan and Baku to come to an agreement," he said.
After the trilateral presidential meeting in Kazan rumours were spread among European officials and media outlets on possible changes in the Misnk Group format. In particular, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton announced on July 6 about the structure's intention to assume a great role in the conflict settlements. Similarly, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani recently suggested in Baku to change the Minsk Group Format and involve Iran in the process.
On July 8, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov arrived in the region to hand over the message of Russian President to Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents.
