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Russia is prepared to provide assistance to Armenia and Turkey when they sit down at the negotiating table, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Armenian magazine Regional Post – Caucasus turning to the Armenian-Turkish relations, TASS reports.

The minister noted that Russia played an important role in restoring the relations between Armenia and Turkey during the active phase of this process in 2007-2009.

"It is of principle importance, that the sides have demonstrated the ability to reach agreement and take serious and responsible decisions. I am convinced that Armenia and Turkey are able to resolve the current problems. That said, quite a lot depends on themselves. After all, the quality of the politicians is measured not only by the depth of their realistic analysis of the objective difficulties, but also by their ability to be optimistic in order to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of their citizens. When Yerevan and Ankara sit at the negotiating table, Russia will be ready to provide them with most vigorous assistance," Russia’s FM emphasized.

Turning to the possibility of opening the Armenian-Turkish border and its significance in the region, Lavrov said: “We would most certainly welcome the opening of the Armenian-Turkish segment of the EAEU's external border for free movement of people, goods and services. This will obviously benefit the entire region.”