October 10, 2003 - 20:06 AMT
KARABAKH TALKS MAY BE STARTED FROM "BLAND PRINT," AZERI FOREIGN MINISTER STATES
After the presidential election in Azerbaijan talks over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement may begin with "a bland print," as the parties have not concluded any written agreements over issues, Azeri foreign minister Vilayat Guliyev told "Turan" Baku agency when commenting on a statement by foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanian on continuing the negotiations from a certain point. In his words, the settlement process will enter "a new stage," in the course of which the parties to conflict will actively involve in talks. "If attempts to persuade Azerbaijan to accept and agree to the current situation of the Karabakh problem are made, no progress at the negotiations can be expected," V. Guliyev said. Touching upon the issue of settlement of the conflict without the OSCE Minsk Group mediation, the minister noted that the organization represents a number of leading countries of the world and from this point of view its participation in the negotiation process is needed. In his opinion, simultaneous to the "Minsk" process, the presidents of the two countries should continue their dialogue, which can promote the talks.