Russia is not indifferent to the fate of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in Moscow.
The Russian minister stressed that Moscow supports the principle, according to which the offices open in accordance with the wishes of a country.
“In this case, moreover, we are not indifferent, as the head of the office is a Russian citizen,” Lavrov added.
With regard to specific programs, Russian Foreign Minister said they must meet the principles of the OSCE not to cause any doubts and suspicions. He recalled that the Azerbaijani colleagues have some questions on the matter.
“The German presidency, and then the Austrian one, are actively engaged. It seems to me, the last proposals of the Austrian presidency, is a solution to the problems. I hope it will be possible to return to it in the near future and to overcome the situation,” Lavrov said.
As reported earlier, the activity of the Yerevan office has been temporarily suspended because of alack of consensus on extending the mandate of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. Azerbaijan has challenged a program concerning the training on demining activities. The German presidency, and then the Austrian presidency, tried to convince Azerbaijan in the insolvency of claims, but to no avail. The Armenian side agreed to stop the program, but Azerbaijan continues to try to hinder the work of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
