ArmenPress
Jan 7 2005

OSCE MINSK GROUP COCHAIRMAN CALLS FOR AZERI CONCESSION

BAKU, JANUARY 7, ARMENPRESS: Yury Merzlyakov, the Russian
co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, has revealed in an interview
with an Azeri daily Ekspress that Armenian and Azerbaijani officials
are negotiating a peace agreement known as “state-by-stage” conflict
regulation option. The Russian diplomat also called on Azerbaijan to
make concessions at the forthcoming talks (between Azeri and Armenian
foreign ministers Elmar Mamedyarov and Vartan Oskanian in Prague on
January 11) in order to reach a solution to the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict.
Yury Merzlyakov described the Prague talks as “decisive” and said:
“Armenia has agreed to some concessions. Now, it is Azerbaijan’s
turn”.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told a recent meeting of the
country’s Security Council that a new stage started in the Karabagh
settlement. He said the Prague process envisages a stage-by-stage
solution to the conflict and the discussions are proceeding in a way
favorable to Azerbaijan.
“We do not rule out agreement on some options proposed by Baku.
But for this purpose mutual steps should be taken, desire should be
demonstrated and coordinated,” Merzlyakov said.
“The dialogue can be continued towards a final end should the
Prague meeting produce any specific results ,” the Russian
co-chairman stressed. He said the meeting of the ministers “will cast
some light on many questions about the evaluation of the situation,
specific solution proposals and prospects of holding more talks:
Armenia has agreed to some concessions. Now, it is Azerbaijan’s
turn,” he said.