OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Opinions Differ, Baku Says
"It is early to express an opinion on the new proposals made by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs regarding the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The proposals should be grouped and formed in order to air an opinion on this. We will express our opinion if a specific proposal is put forward," said Novruz Mammadov, Director of Presidential Administration Department for International Relations.
The state official thinks that "the stances of the conflicting sides not those of the OSCE Minsk Group are fundamental." "There should be some changes in the sides' stances, they should take a constructive position and take serious steps to solve the conflict," he underscored. Commenting on a statement of OSCE Minsk Group French co-chair Bernard Fassier, who said, "The new proposals can satisfy both sides 80 percent" and Russian co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov's statement "If both sides are satisfied 50 percent, I would think the mediation had been fulfilled", Mammadov said that every co-chair makes proposals based on his certain considerations. "Even the opinions of the co-chairs do not coincide," he added.
Responding to a question whether Azerbaijan will agree to the liberation of 50% or 80% of its occupied territories, Mammadov said it suits Azerbaijan by no means. Commenting on the stance of Azerbaijan to the co-chairs' suggestion of organizing a meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, Mammadov stressed that the co-chairs' opinions do not coincide regarding this issue either. "There can be an opinion, if there is an opportunity for the meeting of the Presidents," he added.
Mammadov also touched on the American co-chair Steven Mann's visit to Baku scheduled for 18 April, explaining it by the recent intensified negotiating process. "Therefore, the co-chairs often visit the region to express their stances, exchange views and consult together on the issue," Mammadov concluded, reports APA.
The state official thinks that "the stances of the conflicting sides not those of the OSCE Minsk Group are fundamental." "There should be some changes in the sides' stances, they should take a constructive position and take serious steps to solve the conflict," he underscored. Commenting on a statement of OSCE Minsk Group French co-chair Bernard Fassier, who said, "The new proposals can satisfy both sides 80 percent" and Russian co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov's statement "If both sides are satisfied 50 percent, I would think the mediation had been fulfilled", Mammadov said that every co-chair makes proposals based on his certain considerations. "Even the opinions of the co-chairs do not coincide," he added.
Responding to a question whether Azerbaijan will agree to the liberation of 50% or 80% of its occupied territories, Mammadov said it suits Azerbaijan by no means. Commenting on the stance of Azerbaijan to the co-chairs' suggestion of organizing a meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents, Mammadov stressed that the co-chairs' opinions do not coincide regarding this issue either. "There can be an opinion, if there is an opportunity for the meeting of the Presidents," he added.
Mammadov also touched on the American co-chair Steven Mann's visit to Baku scheduled for 18 April, explaining it by the recent intensified negotiating process. "Therefore, the co-chairs often visit the region to express their stances, exchange views and consult together on the issue," Mammadov concluded, reports APA.
