Matthew Bryza: It would be shameful if Minsk process stopped
"Any resolution on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict must be compromise. After the June meeting between the presidents of both countries in St. Petersburg it was not clear if the sides want to search for a compromise solution. But then I felt that the leaders still intend to continue works in the framework of the Minsk process," US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, OSCE Minsk Group American Co-Chair Matthew Bryza stated in Baku. He said, "it would be shameful if the Minsk process stopped after so many years. We need to use the remaining time before elections in order to finish the formation of basic principles. Those principles must be in the framework of the Helsinki act, which will lead to a peaceful resolution".
Speaking about the latest consultations with OSCE MG Co-Chairs in Moscow the American mediator underlined, "Yesterday my colleagues expressed interesting ideas, which have emerged after the St. Petersburg meeting. There are only a few complicated moments in this process, which need to be solved and which can be resolved. Only decision of leaders is necessary. The Minsk Group can only offer, but the sides are to decide".
As to Co-Chairs' visit to Nagorno Karabakh via Azerbaijani territory, he said, "It is purely a technical issue". "We need to consult with experts on security issues. Only after consultations it will be possible to speak about it," the American diplomat said. Bryza one more time stressed that the Minsk Group countries recognize "the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan", APA reports. "The territorial integrity is one of the principles, which is reflected in the Helsinki act. The other two principles are non-use of force and the right to self-determination and not independence. Self-determination may mean a lot. The difficulty for al of us -leaders of conflicting countries, Co-Chairs and nations, is to find a compromise on these issues. But I believe it is possible to find them. We are close to them. Both sides must sacrifice something in order to get something," Matthew Bryza underscored.
Speaking about the latest consultations with OSCE MG Co-Chairs in Moscow the American mediator underlined, "Yesterday my colleagues expressed interesting ideas, which have emerged after the St. Petersburg meeting. There are only a few complicated moments in this process, which need to be solved and which can be resolved. Only decision of leaders is necessary. The Minsk Group can only offer, but the sides are to decide".
As to Co-Chairs' visit to Nagorno Karabakh via Azerbaijani territory, he said, "It is purely a technical issue". "We need to consult with experts on security issues. Only after consultations it will be possible to speak about it," the American diplomat said. Bryza one more time stressed that the Minsk Group countries recognize "the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan", APA reports. "The territorial integrity is one of the principles, which is reflected in the Helsinki act. The other two principles are non-use of force and the right to self-determination and not independence. Self-determination may mean a lot. The difficulty for al of us -leaders of conflicting countries, Co-Chairs and nations, is to find a compromise on these issues. But I believe it is possible to find them. We are close to them. Both sides must sacrifice something in order to get something," Matthew Bryza underscored.
