YEREVAN. -  Well-established format of the OSCE Minsk Group on Karabakh conflict, the activities of the co-chairs are considered by the sides as an effective and competent tool to promote settlement, said representative of the Russian foreign ministry.

“During a joint press conference following the talks of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov  and his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian, it was asked about our attitude towards the OSCE Minsk Group and possible change in format of talks. Minister Lavrov gave clear and comprehensive response,” said spokesperson for Russian MFA Alexander Lukashevich.

He said that the recent trilateral meeting held by Russian, Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents made it possible to hope for progress in this difficult process and that the parties will approve basic principles passing to a more complicated stage - development of a peace agreement.

“Despite the different periods of conflict development, Minsk Group showed that its capacity is not used to full extent: co-chairs are trying to act responsibly and energetically to help Armenia and Azerbaijan reach necessary arrangements,” he said.