Zakharova made the remarks during a press conference answering a question of a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza about Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent statement during a visit to Baku that they will strive to find creative ideas to help form a basis for resolving the conflict.

“Such creative ideas will be supported. Experts are dealing with that,” she added.

Maria Zakharova also highlighted Russia's plans on the development of bilateral relations with Azerbaijan: "I hope the relations with our partners, allies, friendly countries will develop successfully in 2019. We have big plans, particularly in the development of bilateral relations with Azerbaijan. Hopes are always pinned on the new year and of course, we want peace and stability and implementation of all the constructive plans that we have."

Russia is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan. In 2017, the two countries celebrated the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. The Russian Federation is one of Azerbaijan’s main economic and trade partners.

Russia has invested over $3.7 billion in the Azerbaijani economy. Azerbaijani entrepreneurs have invested more than $1 billion in the Russian economy.

According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia amounted to almost $2 billion in January-October 2018. The trade turnover between the countries increased by 15 percent compared to the same period of 2017.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

Vestnik Kavkaza

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