Lavrov: Russia ready to assist Armenian-Turkish normalization

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was present at the signing of the Armenian-Turkish protocols in October 2009 and this symbolized Russia’s support for the Armenian-Turkish normalization,” Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan said in response to a Russian reporter’s question about whether Russia could assist with the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations.

In his words, the position of Russia and other states backing that process was reflected in the numerous statements about the need to ratify and implement, without preconditions, the agreements contained in the protocols signed in Zurich in October 2009.

“So Russia actually can and tries to do what it can,” Nalbandyan noted.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said for his part that Russia is ready to assist with the Armenian-Turkish normalization.

“I should add that this is so. Before and after the protocols’ signing, we were in support of the continuation of the Armenian-Turkish dialog,” Lavrov said, adding that the final word rests with the sides.