Evidence of Russia’s positive attitude to the natural Armenian-Turkey normalization process is RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s participation in the signing ceremony of the Armenian-Turkish protocols in Zurich, RF Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Grigory Karasin stated in his interview with the Respublika Armenia (Republic of Armenia) newspaper. He stressed Moscow welcomes the positive changes in the Armenia-Turkey contacts.

“Both Armenia and Turkey are friendly countries for us, and we are interested in good neighborly relations between them,” Karasin said. According to him, the improvement of Armenian-Turkish relations will ease tension, strengthen peace, security and stability in the South Caucasus, as well as revive bilateral economic contacts, which will improve the socio-economic situation in both the states.

“No point in the Armenian-Turkish agreements can be interpreted as damage to a third side,” Karasin said. According to him, the signing of the protocols is the result of the Armenian and Turkish partners’ consistent and pragmatic work to settle complicated issues, which confirms the Armenian and Turkish leaders’ determination to establish good neighborly relations.

Russia, for its part, is ready to support the process through further implementation of cooperation projects with Armenia and Turkey. “First, these are electric energy, and transport and communication sectors. The Russian Inter RAO EES Company, which has energy generating facilities in Armenia, is exporting electric energy to Turkey. The Russian Railway CJSC is ready to ensure uninterrupted rail communication between the two countries through the Dogukapy-Akhuryan checkpoint,” Karasin said. He pointed out other long-term projects, which can be of benefit to both Armenian and Turkish population.