Deputy foreign minister of Russia Grigory Karasin said in interview to Golos Rossii radio station that Russia expects progress in Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process in 2012-2013.

“It is very complicated topic with its roots, its history. The efforts addressed toward the settlement of the conflict should be focused on the OSCE Minsk Group,” Karasin said.
According to him, both Armenia and Azerbaijan are Russia’s closest partners within the framework of the CIS.

“We value our relations both with Yerevan and Baku and we do everything possible for the rapprochement of the positions of the two countries,” Russian deputy minister said.

Karasin said the Minsk group co-chairing countries – France, the USA, Russia are working conscientiously, visit the region, meeting with leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan, help in finding acceptable definitions for future documents. “We support the process hoping that it will soon bring to a concrete result,” the Russian official said.