Russia seeks prompt solution to resolve humanitarian issues

MOSCOW: Russia is seeking a prompt and urgent solution to resolve the humanitarian issues in the conflict-ridden Nagorno-Karabakh region as soon as possible, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"Progress has been made with regard to the exchange of prisoners and bodies of those killed, as well as in relation to the search of missing persons," Xinhua news agency quoted Lavrov as saying on Monday at a press conference following talks with the newly-appointed Armenian Foreign Minister AraAyvazyan.

"We are interested in seeing these acute humanitarian issues resolved as soon as possible. We have outlined a number of steps in this direction," he added.

Lavrov stressed that the ongoing ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh is being observed by both parties for almost a month and an ongoing return of refugees is currently taking place.

He also proposed to set up a humanitarian response centre in the region by engaging Armenia and Azerbaijan in its work, further stating that negotiations on this topic are currently underway.

Azerbaijani President IlhamAliyev, Armenian Prime Minister NikolPashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a joint statement on November 9, agreeing to a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh. (IANS)

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