"Russia's task is to promote dialogue between Baku and Yerevan"

South Caucasian countries are going through experiencing a difficult period with its complex inter-ethnic tensions and frozen conflicts, the general director of the Effective Policy Foundation, Kirill Tanayev, said at a news conference in Moscow.

"The Caucasus is strategically important for Russia. We value the peace and stability in the region and today, Russia's challenge is to promote dialogue between Baku and Yerevan," Tanayev said in answer to a Trend journalist's question about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Russia supports a peaceful solution to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which are both considered strategic partners by Moscow, he said.

"But, I do not see any quick solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict yet, although I am convinced that, it will be resolved in the long term," Tanayev said.

The OSCE Minsk Group is making a great contribution to resolving the conflict and reaching an understanding between the parties, he believes.

The Russia - U.S. - France format is very successful and should be utilized to the maximum, he said. He added, that the task of Moscow is to help the parties find a compromise and reduce the degree of tension in the region.

"[Russian] President Dmitry Medvedev's most recent visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan have yielded good results and demonstrated Russia's good relations with both countries," Tanayev said.


/Trend/