AZG Armenian Daily #125, 08/07/2005

Karabakh issue

‘UNIFICATION WITH ARMENIA – BEST WAY FOR SECURING SAFETY OF NAGORNO
KARABAKH’

Satar Safarov, member of Azerbaijan’s delegation at PACE, informed Zerkalo
newspaper that in the course of the closed discussions in Washington Goran
Lenmarker said that “Unification with Armenia can be the best way for
securing the safety of Nagorno Karabakh.” Lenmarker said that the
recognition of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence is unacceptable, as that can
cause many negative developments.

PACE 14th session was held in Washington on July 1-5. The report on Nagorno
Karabakh issue conflict settlement was submitted at the session. According
to Zerkalo, the Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation was informed that the
OSCE Minsk group co-chairs should submit concrete suggestions for the
settlement to the sides in conflict during the unofficial summit of CIS on
August 26, when Armenia and Azerbaijan are expected to meet.

Last week, RA foreign minister stated at the press conference that the sides
do not expect new suggestions from the Minsk group. “We discuss all the
suggestions that are today included in the agenda,” Vartan Oskanian said.
Radio liberty informed that, on his part, Azeri foreign minister said that
his next meeting with Vartan Oskanian depends on the results of the visit of
the OSCE co-chairs. “If there occurs the necessity to meet for the Foreign
Ministers, we will define the terms of the meeting. Otherwise, no meeting
will be held,” Elmar Mamediarov said.

It is envisaged that the mediators will visit Baku, Yerevan and Stepanakert
on July 11-16. Earlier, Yuri Merzliakov, Russian co-chair, stated that they
didn’t receive final responses from the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan
concerning the meeting in Kazan. The Russian diplomat said that there are
“some prospects that inspire hope” in the Prague process.

By Tatoul Hakobian