Russia is ready to assist Armenia and Turkey whenever they decide to sit at the negotiating table, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview published Thursday, reported RIA Novosti news agency of Russia.

Lavrov told the Regional Post - Caucasus bimonthly that Russia played an important role—from 2007 to 2009—in the thawing of Armenia-Turkey relations, but this normalization process was suspended sometime thereafter.

He expressed confidence, however, in the two countries’ ability to resolve existing issues. 

“When Yerevan and Ankara sit at the negotiating table, Russia will be ready to extend them the most active assistance,” noted the Russian FM, in particular.

Also, Sergei Lavrov stressed that Moscow would welcome the opening of the border between Turkey and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member Armenia.

“Of course, we would only welcome that the Armenian-Turkish part of the EAEU’s external border was open for the free movement of people, goods, and services,” stressed the Russian FM.