Russia is the major and most influential actor in the South Caucasus, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated in an interview with Echo of Moscow. According to him, Russia is able to cause the region to become a secure and prosperous one.

"I must express my gratitude to the Russian President for being in search of peaceful solutions. Russia is quite able to curb the arms race in the region and prevent new hostilities. It is no coincidence that Russia has been involved in the negotiation process since the very beginning. The first ceasefire agreement was reached through Russian mediation. It was possible then. A year later a confidence-building agreement was signed with Russia`s active participation. Since Russia is so influential in our region, we expect very much from it," the Armenian leader said.

As regards Armenia`s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, President Serzh Sargsyan stressed the importance of the conflicting parties` commitments not to resume hostilities. "Talks about war have become traditional over the last two years or so. It is very bad. If a leader - or any person - speaks of a problem with confidence and for a very long time, there comes a moment when he himself believes his own words. And, if he has a chance, he feels great temptation. But I am sure a war can be averted. A peaceful way of resolving the conflict is the only way, and a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh - or recognition of the 1991 referendum held in full conformity with the USSR and international law - is the only way to the settlement. The problem can only be resolved by means of compromise. I do not say anything new," the Armenian leader said. He pointed out that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs proposed a document in 2007, which was called Madrid Principles and envisaged a settlement by means of compromise.

"They are three principles. The first is territorial integrity, the second is peoples` self-determination and the third nonuse of force or threat of force. In 2007, after thinking for along time, agreed to a settlement on the basis of the three principles. However, in the course of time, Azerbaijan has been insisting on its own interpretation of the principles. When we speak of the self-determination principle, they say `yes, but as part of Azerbaijan`. It is clear, that such self-determination can only be designated as `reduced`. Secondly, the principle of nonuse of force can only be applied if a state has not any `occupied territories`.

Every time we want to remind them that in 1994 we signed a ceasefire agreement, the aim being establishing peace and resolving the problem. No one has cancelled the agreement yet - or the second agreement. I would like to note that the territories under the Nagorno-Karabakh army`s control are the result of hostilities launched not by Nagorno-Karabakh," the Armenian leader said.

As regards possible compromises by the Armenian side, President Serzh Sargsyan pointed out that, if people in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia are asked, no one will yield an inch. On the other hand, we must realize that any solution must facilitate long-lasting peace. So compromises are necessary. Of course, we need guarantees that such long-lasting peace will really be established. It is not going to be the way Azerbaijan says: `Let Karabakh return everything to us, and then we will discuss Karabakh`s fate`," the Armenian leader said.