Russia welcomes the resumption of energy cooperation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But for supplies from Azerbaijan, it will be necessary to build a natural gas pipeline and sign long-term contracts, said the deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, Aleksey Shevtsov.

“We [i.e. Russia] have paid attention to the recent statements of Armenian and Azerbaijani officials on the possibilities of [natural] gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Armenia. We welcome the fact of the resumption of Armenian-Azerbaijani cooperation in the energy sector, which may indicate a positive step towards the restoration of peaceful life in the region,” Shevtsov told reporters.

Also, he drew attention to the supply of diesel fuel and gasoline from Azerbaijan to Armenia after a long break.

And speaking about the possibility of natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Armenia, the deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council noted that “the parties do not deny that at the moment it is difficult to implement its supply; it is necessary to build a new [natural] gas pipeline."

"And this, in turn, is justified only in the presence of long-term contracts and stable demand," added Shevtsov.