Aliyev's remarks on Karabakh's status must be discussed: OSCE envoy

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick on Tuesday, October 25 welcomed a statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the status of Nagorno Karabakh.

Aliyev said in an interview with RIA Novosti that in the conflict settlement process "a compromise could be found which would give Karabakh autonomy within Azerbaijan."

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs visited Armenia after traveling to Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh.

In Yerevan, Warlick said "we want a thorough discussion of the issue not only in personal meetings of the presidents with the Co-chairs, but also by the societies. President Aliyev opened a debate on the status of Karabakh. This is something that we should all welcome."

According to him, a sincere discussion on Karabakh is paramount. "The positions of the parties may not be the same, but these issues should be presented to the societies in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh. I said in Baku, and I will repeat here. We welcome this statement by Aliyev, not because this is the last word, but because it makes the issue a subject of discussion," said the U.S. Co-chair.

He also stressed that all the parties to the Karabakh conflict have accepted the principles of the Final Helsinki Act, providing for the right to self-determination, respect for territorial integrity and non-use of force.

"We work on the basis of these three principles, which were undersigned both by Armenia and Azerbaijan. We continue to be guided by these principles. The fact is that both presidents - Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sargsyan - have agreed to move towards a peaceful settlement, to reach an agreement that will provide a lasting peace," Warlick said.

Warlick said he and his Russian and French counterparts are ready to organize another meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents at any time, if the leaders are ready for it.

As reported earlier, the presidents’ next meeting may be held in Paris.

He added that no settlement option could be imposed on the parties, they have to find it by themselves, and the Minsk Group Co-chars will help them in thie endeavour.