OSCE MG: Kocharian and Aliyev Should Show Initiative in Karabakh Issue
Yesterday OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs made a recurrent statement. It says that principles of conflict settlement in Nagorno Karabakh, the Co-Chairs have presented to Azerbaijan and Armenia, are interpreted in different ways. The statement specifically notes, "Taking it into account we consider necessary to make the following statement. Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group reported to the OSCE Permanent Council on the outcomes of the talks with parties of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. They presented a report on intensive mediation aimed at coming to an agreement over settlement basic principles within past seven months. The report contains information on the outcomes of the three individual and joint visits of the co-chairs to Baku and Yerevan, two meetings with Azeri and Armenian FMs, Rambouillet and Bucharest meetings with participation of Kocharian and Aliyev and visits to the region in May at the level of Deputy FMs of OSCE MG Co-Chair countries."
The statement notes that mediation efforts of the co-chairs have resulted in handing fair, balanced and practical basic principles over NK settlement. "This proposal may result in singing of a settlement agreement desirable to both parties. The essence of those principles lies in withdrawal of Armenian troops from regions around NK and providing a special model to Kelbajar and Lachin regions (including the corridor between Armenia and NK). The date and form of demilitarization of those regions should be determined at later stages of the talks - at the time of holding a referendum on NK status. According to those principles, the parties will stop threatening each other and will fulfill their promises on international and bilateral security."
Over the issue of the coming referendum on determining the status of Nagorno Karabakh the Co-Chairs noted that arrangements should be held for its holding. "It is a pity that the Presidents during their latest meeting in Bucharest could not agree over those principles. We believe that both Presidents should take the initiative in their hands to attain progress in the settlement. In case the Presidents come to an agreement, we are ready to assist in concluding a treaty." The Co-Chairs said no additional meetings are planned on their initiative in the near future. "In case the Presidents agree to continue the talks, we can again engage in the matter," reports Azeri-Press.
The statement notes that mediation efforts of the co-chairs have resulted in handing fair, balanced and practical basic principles over NK settlement. "This proposal may result in singing of a settlement agreement desirable to both parties. The essence of those principles lies in withdrawal of Armenian troops from regions around NK and providing a special model to Kelbajar and Lachin regions (including the corridor between Armenia and NK). The date and form of demilitarization of those regions should be determined at later stages of the talks - at the time of holding a referendum on NK status. According to those principles, the parties will stop threatening each other and will fulfill their promises on international and bilateral security."
Over the issue of the coming referendum on determining the status of Nagorno Karabakh the Co-Chairs noted that arrangements should be held for its holding. "It is a pity that the Presidents during their latest meeting in Bucharest could not agree over those principles. We believe that both Presidents should take the initiative in their hands to attain progress in the settlement. In case the Presidents come to an agreement, we are ready to assist in concluding a treaty." The Co-Chairs said no additional meetings are planned on their initiative in the near future. "In case the Presidents agree to continue the talks, we can again engage in the matter," reports Azeri-Press.
