Aliyev says direct talks between foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia possible if Armenia refuses Russia’s mediation

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that if Yerevan refuses Russia’s mediation, direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan could be an alternative.

According to Aliyev, his country gratefully accepts Russia’s mediation in normalizing relations with Armenia.

“We gratefully accept the mediation of the Russian Federation, since Russia is our neighbor and ally, as well as an ally of Armenia. This country is located in our region, unlike those who are thousands of kilometers away. And, of course, the history of relations between our countries assumes the mediation of the Russian side,” Aliyev said at the 53rd meeting with heads of Security Agencies and Special Services of CIS countries.

According to him, “if Yerevan refuses Russia’s mediation, direct negotiations between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia could become an alternative.”