Bryza: no breakthrough expected in Karabakh settlement in 2008

PanARMENIAN.Net - There will be no breakthrough in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process in 2008, said Matthew Bryza, the U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.



Presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan will hamper the settlement process, according to him.



"However, judging from statements made by President of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the talks should be continued. We all know that it's very hard to find common ground and make concession on the threshold of elections. But I can't say that the window is closing. I am hopeful it will remain open during elections," the mediator said.



At that he noted that change of the leader in any state can affect negotiations. "We expect no drastic change from Azerbaijan. The situation is quite clear there and the name of next President is already known. Armenian presidential candidates also support the process. Approaches can undergo some changes, however. The package on the table is the most logical formula for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution and a man of sense will accept all these principles," the U.S. diplomat said, Day.az reports.