Stepanakert: Lavrov`s statement was a message urging Ankara to unblock Armenia`s borders and to make a contribution to Karabakh problem

ArmInfo. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's latest statement on the Karabakh peace process is interesting, however, it should be considered in a combination with his other statements, Nagorno-Karabakh President's Spokesman David Babayan has told ArmInfo.    

He notes that the Russian-Turkish relations have started improving in tactical rather than strategic terms.  Babayan says that in Yerevan Lavrov made a number of interesting statements, including remarks on Armenian-Turkish relations. Lavrov particularly said that the Karabakh peace process will register significant progress if Armenian-Turkish relations improve.

"This statement does not at all mean that Turkey can be a mediator in the Karabakh peace process. Not only Yerevan or Stepenakert, but also the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have repeatedly stated the unacceptability of Turkey's participation as a mediator in the peace process. The current format is the best possible option for the settlement of the problem. And biased Turkey, which overtly supports one of the conflicting parties - specifically Azerbaijan - cannot become a mediator in the Karabakh peace process," Babayan says.

However, this does not mean that Turkey has no influence on the regional processes, Babayan says, noting that Ankara's influence on the processes in the region is strong enough and it has negative consequences, which Russia perfectly realizes.

Babayan thinks that the Russia-Turkey tactical rapprochement is aimed at reducing Ankara's destructive influence on the processes in the region. "Lavrov made an unprecedented statement, saying that "Turkey can play a positive role by ensuring the unblocking of Nagorno-Karabakh and ensuring normal economic interaction in the region" by lifting the blockade from Armenia's borders. One can arrive at the conclusion that the statement clearly said - If you want to make a positive contribution to the settlement, take these steps. Anyway, one can say confidently that the imperative strategy will not be revised," Babayan stresses.       

At the same time, Babayan does not share the opinion that Armenian-Turkish relations can be normalized at the expense of transfer of territories around Karabakh to Azerbaijan. "This is out of the question. This issue is left behind. Now it is important to maintain peace and security in the region. The superpowers have similar stands on this matter, because they realize that if a conflict breaks out in the Transcaucasia, it will last long. All steps are currently being taken to maintain stability in the region," Babayan says.         

To note, on October 14 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Yerevan that Turkey can play a positive role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. "The fact that Turkey can play a positive role, ensuring the unblocking of Nagorno-Karabakh, ensuring normal economic cooperation in the region - this is a major factor that we always have in mind," he told reporters. "If Armenia and Turkey get back to the implementation of their agreements without reference to the Karabakh conflict, we will only be glad. But our feeling is that progress in the Karabakh settlement will be crucial for seeing Armenian-Turkish relations normalized," TASS quotes Lavrov as saying

The Turkish Foreign Ministry takes a positive view of Sergey Lavrov's statement, while Yerevan keeps stressing that it is necessary to keep Turkey away from the Karabakh peace process.