Karabakh: Russia calls to resume Armenian-Azeri talks

Russia will promote resumption of Karabakh talks to get the Armenian and Azeri presidents back to the negotiation table as soon as possible, said Vladimir Rushailo, Secretary of Russia's Security Council, while in conference with President Robert Kocharyan of Armenia.

Russia is convinced that early talks resumption is a must, and will promote the cause in bilateral efforts and on the OSCE mediation group alike, reassured Mr. Rushailo.

To settle the Karabakh conflict and guarantee stability and security throughout the Caucasus is among Moscow's top priorities. Caucasian instability directly undermines Russia's interests to enfeeble its south frontier, and distract vast human and material resources, he emphasised.

A disputed area on the Armenian-Azeri frontier, with the Armenian population predominant, Karabakh was within Azerbaijan long before the Soviet Union collapsed.