Karabakh's self-determination fundamental issue in talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - The problem of Nagorno Karabakh's self-determination is fundamental in the talks, RA Foreign Ministry's Spokesman Vladimir Karapetian said.



He said information published in Kommersant daily with a reference to a source close to the talks does not correspond to the truth. The package the OSCE MG Co-chairs handed the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers in Madrid is "as a matter of fact the same document that has been on the table during past 10 years."



The presentation of proposals in the framework of the session of the OSCE Foreign Ministers was meant to lend increasing importance to the talks, according to him. He said Armenia will respond to the mediators' proposal during their next regional visit which is not likely till the yearend, IA Regnum reports.



Earlier, Kommersant daily citing a diplomatic source reported that "Yerevan is supposed to surrender territories around Nagorno Karabakh." "Armenian forces will abandon Kelbajar (a small contingent will remain) while the way from Azerbaijan to Nakhijevan will be open.



International administration under the OSCE aegis will be established in Kelbajar but will pass to Azerbaijan's full control. The plan, however, provides for creation of a corridor in Lachin connecting Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The liberated territories will be demilitarized and international peacekeepers will be deployed there. Finally, the international community will encourage settlement of Armenians from those territories back to Armenia and return of Azeri refugees in several years. The UN Security Council will act as guarantor of the peaceful agreement."