Russia, Moscow, Jan. 16/ Trend , R. Agayev/ The media reports claiming that Russia has supplied ammunition worth $800 million to Armenia are untrue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a response to the question of the Trend reporter in a press conference in Moscow.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry accused Russia of strengthening military potential of Armenia, who occupied Azerbaijan's lands, by supplying it with ammunition worth $800 million.
The ammunition supply contradicts the UN Security Council resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Russia violates commitments not to render support to any of the conflicting sides, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said on Jan. 15.
"The person whose name is mentioned in the document did not sign it. No ammunition supply took place. We have asked our Azerbaijani counterparts to show us a copy of this document. Our investigation proves that such document does not exist at all," Lavrov said.
Minister said he has held talks with ambassadors on this issue and intends to discuss it with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamamdyarov in a telephone conversation today.
" Russia did not hide presence of military cooperation program with both Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and organization's members enjoy privileges. Azerbaijan is well aware of it," minister added.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan lost the Nagorno-Karabakh, except of Shusha and Khojali, in December 1991. In 1992-93, Armenian Armed Forces occupied Shusha, Khojali and Nagorno-Karabakh's seven surrounding regions. Twenty percent of Azerbaijan's lands is under occupation. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement. The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, France, and the US) are currently holding peaceful negotiations.
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