From: Sebouh Z Tashjian <seb_tashjian@hotmail.com>
Subject: Minsk Group Cochairmen get ready for meeting with Oskanian

MINSK GROUP COCHAIRMEN GET READY FOR MEETING WITH OSKANIAN

Armenpress

BAKU, MAY 4, ARMENPRESS: Russian Minsk Group cochairman Yury Merzlyakov
told an Azerbaijani APA news agency that he and two other Group’s
cochairmen from France and USA a were getting prepared for a separate
meeting with Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian.

Merzlyakov specified that that the date and the venue of the meeting
were considered. “The meeting may take place either in Moscow, Warsaw
or in some other European city a day or two ahead of the Council of
Europe summit in Poland,” Merzlyakov was quoted as saying.

The Russian diplomat said the cochairmen’s earlier separate meeting
with Azerbaijani foreign minister Elmar Mamedyarov in Germany’s
Frankfurt was “useful and productive.”

Merzlyakov said Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents are very likely to
have another round of talks over the Karabagh conflict on the fringes
of the Council of Europe summit on May 16-17. He said the negotiation
process would resume after the presidents’ meeting in the format of
foreign ministers.

Merzlyakov also downplayed allegations that a PACE ad hoc commission
on Karabagh could replace the Minsk Group, which is the main team of
peace brokers mandated to help the sides to find a mutually acceptable
peace formula.

“Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis said the commission
could not replace the Minsk Group. Its main activity will be based
on protection of human rights,” Merzlyakov quoted Davis as saying.