The Zhamanak newspaper interviewed Sergey Chebotarev, Head of a Department, RF Presidential Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts with Foreign Countries.

Question: What is the Kremlin’s actual position on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process?

 Answer: With respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, I am supportive of the position that Russia should continue its balanced mediatory mission within the OSCE Minsk Group, at the Armenian-Azerbaijani presidential meetings. That is the peace process is progressing, and 20-year-long talks are better that one-day war. The negotiations and the mediatory mission must go on for a solution to be found in the course of time.

Question: What is your opinion of the present level of Russian-Azerbaijani relations, particularly of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to Azerbaijan?

Answer: Russian-Azerbaijani relations are presently at a high level – first of all in the economic, cultural and other fields. Good strategic relations with Azerbaijan are very important for Russia, as it is greatly interested in the Caspian region, Asia and other regions. In this context Azerbaijan is our ally. However, I would like to stress once more that our friendly relations and partnership with Azerbaijan are not aimed at Armenia. We say the same to our Azerbaijani partners and hope for their understanding. So I would like to restate that our relations with Azerbaijan are not to the detriment of our relations with Armenia. Nor do they affect the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process in any way.