"Russia welcomes the regular meetings on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, ITAR-TASS quoted Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Yuri Zubakov as saying at an international conference "Security and Cooperation in the Caucasus and around it" held upon Armenian Security Council initiative in Yerevan.

"The recent bilateral summit in Prague was fourth for the last 11 months," Zubakov said pointing to visit between Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Prague. "Though some important issues regarding major principles of the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have not been solved yet, the evolving trend gives ground for careful optimism," he said.

"Russia opposes imposing recipes on conflicting sides from outside," Zubakov said. He said "the conflicting sides must make a final choice."The proposals which will contribute to peace and stability in the South Caucasus and that will not turn the region to arena of international political and military rivalry will be vital," he said.

"The important is not to prepare abstract and unrealistic global plans which take into consideration interests of only one side, but which seeks real resolution," Zubakov said.