NOVRUZ MAMEDOV: POSITIONS BECOMING CLOSER FELT AT YEREVAN-BAKU TALKS

PanARMENIAN.Net - «Due to the arrangements made at the meetings of the Foreign Ministers it is decided not to make these public. Our reports refer only to the nature, spirit of the meetings and, in some sense, to the available trends, which as stated by Azeri Deputy FM Araz Azimov, should be evaluated as positive,» stated head of the International Relations Department of the Aliyev Administration Novruz Mamedov, reported the 525 Baku newspaper. In his opinion, «during the latest meetings the Armenian party if forming its position on the necessity of resolution of the conflict.» «Some other form, specifically that within the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, is meant by saying necessity to resolve the conflict. The Armenian leaders already understand that the solution of the conflict in the form they want it is impossible. These elements, trends are found in the spirit of the talks in some sense,» N. Mamedov is sure. He did not specify the achievements made by the Armenian and Azeri FMs, stating he is optimistic over the current stage and the outcomes of the talks. "Extremely many issues are being discussed at the talks. The main achievement is that it is felt that in some sense the positions of the parties become closer," Mamedov noted. He also underscored that a document reflecting the outcomes of the talks will be presented to the Presidents at their Kazan meeting. He said that before that the Azeri and Armenian Presidents will meet with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, who already work on the proposals based on the positions of both parties. "The proposals will be presented to the parties at the Kazan meeting and there is a probability for positions to become closer." Mamedov said that elements referring to the securing local residents of Karabakh are also discussed at the talks. In his words, there are several opinions to that end. In Mamedov's words, there is an opinion on deployment of international peacekeeping forces to secure Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh. "This idea is not new, however it may appear in the agenda. If the parties agree over solution of a number of complex issues, undoubtedly international peacekeepers may be used to secure Armenians. The format, nature and number of these is still subject to negotiation," he said. Mamedov note some proposals over opening communications were available. He said the parties keep to that issue more. In Mamedov's opinion the issue is a constituent the concept of resolution of the conflict proposed by Azerbaijan. «We suppose that communications can be opened as part of the option of stepwise solution. There is nothing extraordinary in it. Let us presume the 7 regions are liberated. Then the work over the opening of Meghri-Nakhichevan-Yerevan or Aghdam-Stepanakert-Goris-Sisyan-Shahbuz-Nakhichevan may start. If there is mutual understanding available, it is one of the options that can assist settlement of the conflict.»