Mikhail Kasyanov: "Russia should have made for the West long before and I recommend Azerbaijan to do the same as well"

A meeting of Russian democrats and parliamentarians of Europe was held in the European parliament in Brussels.

The main figure at the hearings was leader of the Russian National Democratic Party Mikhail Kasyanov.

After the debates I asked the following questions to Mikhail Kasyanov:

-What can you say about Russia's position on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict? Do you think that Russia has lost the region using the "divide et empera" policy, like some politicians say, or its presence is obvious?

-I would not use the term "lost the region". To me, Russia, as a country, responsible for all processes in the region, should take an active part in the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Russia should not reject the responsibility for what has happened there and should give up its empire ambitions.

-Nevertheless, it is obvious that Russia supports Armenia in this issue and considers it its main ally in the South Caucasus, frequently ignoring international resolutions on the status of Nagorno Karabakh.

-I do not think that Russia supports Armenia, I think this is an artificially raised topic. I would repeat that Russia does not take the due active participation in the problem, because the government has no time to establish order in its own country.

I am not an expert in the issue of Karabakh but I can say that the resolution of this problem is extremely important both for the region and for Russia.

-The society in Azerbaijan is ambivalent in the issue of political preferences. A part of the political elite (traditionally old, party Komsomol leaders, occupying their positions since H.Aliyev's presidency) makes for Russia, while the rest part (new generation of young politicians) tends to turn to the West. Don't you consider that such pro-Armenian behavior of Russia will become a sign for Azerbaijan to build closer relations with the West?

-If you imply orientation for democratic western values, I think Russia should have made for the West long before and I recommend Azerbaijan to do the same.

But, I consider that Russia should become the main partner of Azerbaijan in the resolution of the territorial conflict and I hope that if there is nothing negative, Azerbaijan and Armenia will settle the problem peacefully.

/Day.Az/