Robert Bradtke: Yerevan and Baku are on most important stage of talks

July 8, 2010 - 21:21 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chair Robert Bradtke said that the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has played an important role in the Karabakh conflict settlement.

“One should not forget that during her visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia the U.S. Secretary of State discussed not only the Karabakh conflict. However, the visit has once again reaffirmed the U.S. Administration’s resoluteness to help the sides solve it,” noted Bradtke.

According to him, it is necessary not to focus on hindrances at the current stage of talks; the parties should try to look into future. He added that the role of the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group’s Co-Chair countries should be increased in this issue.

Commenting on the current stage of negotiations, Robert Bradtke stated that a certain progress has been recorded in the process. According to him, the sides agree that the solution should be based on the Helsinki Final Act principles.

“The sides accept the six elements, which have been submitted by the U.S., French and Russian Presidents for two times: temporary and final status of Nagorno Karabakh, return of territories, direct corridor between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, right of refugees and internally displaced persons to return, as well as international peacekeeping guarantees. Now we should reconcile the six elements with the Helsinki Final Act principles, then to reflect them in a framework agreement, based on what the final talks on settlement will be hold,” the U.S. Co-Chairmen noted, adding that the sides are on the most important stage of talks, the Azerbaijani service of BBC reported.