Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 16 2004

MEETING OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AND THE PRESIDENT
OF ARMENIA ROBERT KOCHARYAN WITH PARTICIPATION OF CO-CHAIRS OF THE
MINSK GROUP
[September 15, 2004, 16:32:27]

On September 15, the meeting of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev and the President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan has taken place
in Astana with participation of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group,
AzerTAj correspondent reports.

During the conversation, underlined was importance of carrying out of
such meetings for peace settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny
Karabakh conflict, activation of all efforts with a view of the
solution of the conflict. Co-chairmen of the Minsk Group Yury
Merzlyakov (Russia), Steven Mann (USA) and Henry Jacolin (France)
informed the Presidents on the work done recently and the carried out
negotiations.

At the meeting, the negotiators had comprehensive exchange of views
in connection with settlement of the conflict proceeding already long
years.

After the meeting, Yuri Merzlyakov informed journalists that the
discussions of Presidents included the questions discussed on the
Prague negotiations. One of the put forward offers concerns clearing
of the regions adjoining to Nagorny Karabakh, returning of the IDPs
to their homelands and warranting of their safety. The Azerbaijan and
Armenian sides have discussed the ideas on negotiations. After
negotiations in Astana, official Baku and Yerevan will present to
co-chairs the offers on the basis of which the Minsk Group will carry
out its activity. The held negotiations and all ideas focused in the
discussion of presidents were within the framework of territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan. Many moments arising during negotiations,
also are connected to the reasons and consequences of the conflict.