YEREVAN. – It is not a coincidence that today Russia plays the leading role in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group and the Karabakh conflict’s regulation process, Caucasus Institute Director, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan stated during a press conference on Wednesday. 

With respect to France’s ambitions to occupy a leading position in the Minsk Group, Iskandaryan noted that Russia did not assume the leading role on its own. “Russia received Full Powers from the other [Minsk Group] Co-Chairs. That happened after Meiendorf [Declaration] and immediately after the Russian-Georgian war,” Iskandaryan maintained.   

In his words, it is much easier for Russia to work in the region than it is for US and France, and that is why Moscow is active in our region. And since the situation has not changed, Russia’s role likewise will not change in the foreseeable future. 

In November 2008, the presidents of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan had a meeting at the Meiendorf Castle in Moscow Oblast, during which they signed a declaration on settlement of the Karabakh conflict.