Russia is ready to be guarantor in Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict settlement: ambassador

Russia is interested in peaceful settlement of the conflict which are admissible for both sides in line with international standards and recognizes Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Dorokhin said at his first news conference.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.

Dorokhin said a dialogue between Azerbaijan and Russia is developing at the highest level. "Before my visit to Baku, Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev told me that I am going to the country which is our partner and with which our relations are at the highest level," the ambassador said.

"At present we are on the eve of a new event - tomorrow Moscow will host Azerbaijani and Russian presidents' working meeting and agreements which will be reached at this meeting will lead to a new turn of friendship and cooperation," Dorokhin said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will visit Russia on April 16-17.

/Trend News/