Russia’s offer to provide a platform for the signing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains in force, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said, according to RIA Novosti.

“Our proposal to provide a platform for the signing of a final peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains in force,” Galuzin said at a reception held on the occasion of Armenia’s Independence Day anniversary.

He added that the Russian side attaches special importance to the normalization of relations between the countries.

“It is clear that much remains to be done to implement our plans. We [i.e. Russia] are ready to provide Yerevan and Baku with all necessary assistance to overcome the remaining differences, including taking into account the trilateral statements of the leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan,” the Russian deputy FM said.

Galuzin emphasized that Russia has played a significant and effective role in the settlement process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In turn, Armenia’s ambassador to Russia, Gurgen Arsenyan, also highlighted the contribution of Russian diplomacy to the settlement process, and called it “exceptional.”