Expert: OSCE MG shifts won’t affect Karabakh talks

PanARMENIAN.Net -

The possible replacement of the French mandate with that of the EU in OSCE Minsk Group won’t result in any changes in Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement talks, Armenian turkologist Hakob Chakryan said.

“As an EU leading country, France is the best candidate for the mission due to the experience it gained for the past 20 years of co-chairmanship in the OSCE MG together with Russia and the U.S.,” he said, noting the final decision hasn’t been taken yet, and the proposal is likely to be turned down.

“There is no need to address the issue too seriously as the possible shifts in MG format won’t affect the negotiation process,” Mr. Chakryan said.

On March 23, European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted a document on Armenia, proposing to replace France’s mandate in OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement with that of the European Union. The document is to be put to vote at European Parliament’s plenary session supposedly in a month.