OSCE chief hopes for Armenian, Azeri Presidents to meet by yearendNovember 8, 2013 - 13:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Secretary General noted positive changes in the settlement of frozen conflicts, with an agreement on a meeting between Armenian and Azerbaijani President as an important step forward. “We’re in talks with conflicting parties. At present, we’re working to arrange a meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. Hope it will take place before the yearend,” Lamberto Zannier said in an interview to ITAR-TASS. “The OSCE goal is to support the parties’ intention to follow the political settlement line, allowing no other alternatives,” Zanier stressed. The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Jacques Faure of France, and James Warlick of the United States of America) and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, traveled to the region November 4-5 to continue their efforts to help the sides find a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They met with Azerbaijani President Aliyev in Baku on November 4, and Armenian President Sargsyan in Yerevan on November 5, to discuss issues of importance for a settlement. They also met with the Foreign Ministers and the Defense Ministers of both countries. “The Presidents have confirmed their intention to meet in November 2013 to clarify their positions on a settlement and to discuss the way forward,” they said. “The Co-chairs continue to work on arrangements for the forthcoming summit. The Co-Chairs call upon the sides to exercise restraint on the ground as well as in their public statements. Military action, particularly at this moment, can only be seen as an attempt to damage the peace process.” Related links: The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. 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. |