OSCE Minsk Group mediators are performing their duties honestly - Sergey Lavrov.

The OSCE Minsk Group has been honestly fulfilling its functions without retreating from the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, the fundamental OSCE documents and the UN Charter, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in Yerevan on April 2.

"The Minsk Group holds the same position in the Karabakh issue and honestly adheres to the Helsinki Final Act principles: non-use of force, respect for territorial integrity and the right of nations to self-determination," the Russian FM said during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian.

"The mediators' position is reflected in a joint statement adopted by the three co-chairing countries adopted during the OSCE summit in Astana," Sergey Lavrov stressed.

Speaking about the allegations of Azerbaijani political circles that the mediators' activity turned out to be ineffective, Mr Lavrov said it differs from the position of official Baku.

Then he cited the high appraisal given to the work of the mediators during the OSCE summit in Astana in December 2010.

"High appraisal is given in the Astana statement to the efforts of mediators, including the personal efforts of President Medvedev," said the Russian FM.
For his part, the Armenian Foreign Minister stressed that some progress had been recorded in the peace talks spearheaded by the Minsk Group, which was also observed by the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan during their meeting in Sochi.

Minister Edward Nalbandian also noted that Azerbaijan would not have agreed to the mediators' proposals if it were not interested in preserving the status quo.

Today's joint statement was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.