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Moscow is doing all it can to help relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia to normalize and sees these countries as its natural strategic partners, Interfax cited Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying.

"We have done and are doing everything possible for a normalization in Azerbaijani-Armenian relations and for a durable peace to be achieved in the South Caucasus. We will continue to facilitate the work on a peace treaty, border delimitation, and the unblocking of economic and transport communication routes," Putin said at a ceremony of accepting credentials from newly-appointed ambassadors on Tuesday.

Putin welcomed the fact that the Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders met on the sidelines of the recent BRICS summit in Kazan and "had a useful conversation on fundamental issues related to achieving a durable peace and accord between nations in the region."

He described Armenia and Azerbaijan as "Russia's closest neighbors, very good friends, and natural strategic partners and allies."