MERZLYAKOV: KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING CONVEYED POLITICAL IMPULSE TO TALKS

Pan Armenian News
19.05.2005 02:22

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs assess the recurrent
round of direct negotiations between the Presidents of Azerbaijan
and Armenia held in Warsaw May 15 as very positive, stated MG
Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov, reported Trend Azeri agency. “In
our opinion it conveyed a political impulse to further talks. It
is very important, these will be continued in the direction set
by the Presidents by their discussion. Thus, we will try to aim at
that point hoping for success,” he said. Answering a question on the
refusal of Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian to make a final statement
upon the completion of the talks, the Russian Ambassador noted it is
“their right.” “It does not indicate they have nothing to say. Quite
the contrary they have much to say. I am afraid they would like to
say many things, however they could not yet. Maybe in contrast to
previous meetings they have got things to say, so they decided to say
nothing,” Yu. Merzlyakov added. Touching upon the last statement of
the Azeri Foreign Minister E. Mamedyarov on Armenia’s readiness to
return 7 occupied Azeri regions, the Co-Chair said, “Judging from the
Minister’s words, he did not state it so definitely – it is rather a
journalist interpretation. What does it mean – Armenia is ready? The
matter of withdrawal of troops is considered. And the Armenian party
does not question the principle that Armenian troops will be withdrawn
from the regions around Nagorno Karabakh. However, there is no final
arrangement over the terms, order of withdrawal, time and details on
the whole.” In the diplomat’s words the issue of withdrawal of the
troops is not “a question of tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.”