OSCE MG: new Kocharian-Aliyev meeting to mark endpoint for negotiations on basic principlesApril 24, 2007 - 15:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian, and Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, met in Belgrade on April 18 under the aegis of the three Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Ambassador Bernard Fassier (France), and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza (USA) - and in the presence of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman in Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.The Co-chairs facilitated a constructive and forward-looking discussion between the foreign ministers, who continued to embrace the Basic Principles proposed by the mediators as the foundation for the negotiations. The foreign ministers and the mediators have driven the process very close to a point at which Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will have to assess these principles. The Co-Chairs plan to visit the region in late May in order to explore with each president the idea of an additional summit between them that could mark an endpoint for negotiations on basic principles and a starting point for a process to develop a comprehensive settlement agreement, based on those principles, that will pave the way for enduring peace and stability in the region. As always, the co-chairs continue to stress the important role that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan must play to prepare their societies for peace. They urge both sides to engage actively in confidence-building measures that will help build trust between them, the OSCE communication unit reports. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |