"Preserving stability in the Caucasus is of crucial importance to Russia," reads the comment of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, issued in a special publication of The Business Year-Azerbaijan 2011 magazine, dedicated to 20th anniversary of independence of Azerbaijan, reports 1news.az.

According to Medvedev, the decision on extension of Russian military base in Armenia belongs to this context.

"The military base is designed to ensure peace and order, maintain stability and reduce the complexity that we have today", said Russian president.

He also referred to mediation mission Moscow is playing in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The frequency of meetings between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan with my participation reached a historic height. Not so long ago, speaking on the topic, I noted that I am not ashamed of our work. There were important discussions, when the parties stressed the presence of a number of difficulties in the process,” Medvedev noted. "In any case, these efforts give certain result and negotiations continue."

According to Medvedev, the intensity of these contacts should not be reduced.

"Russia is ready to take responsibility under OSCE Minsk Group. Its moral duty towards the neighboring countries is to continue dialogue on this issue," said Medvedev.