Grigory Karasin, Chair of the Committee of the Federal Council on Foreign Affairs of Russia, in an interview to the Kommersant, stated that the cessation of bloodshed in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the signing of the trilateral statement on November 9, 2020 were possible thanks to the responsible position of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Now most of the issues are connected with the humanitarian problems, such as the exchange of the prisoners of war, the return of the bodies, the refugees and provision of necessary living conditions for them. The issue of demining the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and its adjacent regions is acute,” said former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister.
According to Karasin, a lot depends on how fast it would be possible to restore the trust between the sides. “Certain steps have already been taken. At the initiative of the Russian President, the discussions of political issues continue, they are searching for ways. The trilateral commission at the deputy prime minister’s level is working actively, discussing economic, transportation and logistics-related issues”, he said.
Karasin stated that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs could play a positive role over this matter. “The Co-Chairs have an experience and proper foreign support. The practice of regular meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs may restore which would receive a tangible international reaction”, he added.
Karasin did not want to make parallels between the Artsakh and the Transnistria issues. “Ethnic, religious and geographical parameters are quite different,” the official concluded.
