PanArmenian News Network, Armenia
July 12 2005
OSCE MG STATES PROGRESS IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
12.07.2005 03:23
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Yesterday Azeri President I. Aliyev received OSCE Minsk
Group Co-Chairs Steven Mann (US), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and Bernard
Fassier (France). As reported by AzerTAj, the parties exchanged views over
the current state and the prospects of the negotiation process for
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The source also reported
yesterday the Co-Chairs met with head of the Azeri community of Karabakh
Nizami Bahmanov and FM E. Mamedyarov. During the meeting details of
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict within the «Prague process» were
discussed. After the meeting with E. Mamedyarov the Russian Co-Chair told
journalists that many questions were discussed at the meeting and indicated
the availability of positive moments in the talks. «We were in Baku just a
month and a half ago and if they have come again, then the situation is
good,» when assessing the talks stated the French Co-Chair. The Co-Chairs
will leave for Yerevan July 13 and then to Stepanakert. On the other hand
the «head of the executive of Shushi region, head of the Azeri community of
Karabakh» Nizami Bahmanov, who took part in the meeting, stated «main
discussion topic at the meeting with the co-chairs was liberation of lands
occupied by the Armed Forces of Armenia and the stepwise settlement plan was
discussed.» He said the «head executive of Lachin region took part in the
meeting for the first time.» N. Bahmanov emphasized that «the issue of
return of the population of Shushi and Lachin regions was discussed,» «The
co-chairs said Armenians are concerned over their fate after liberation of
the regions occupied by Armenia. We tried to convince the co-chairs the
concerns are not grounded and we told them that within the past 100 years
there were no Armenians in Lachin region. We pointed out the importance of
the withdrawal of the Armenian population settled in Lachin. There are no
problems left in re-settling local population in Lachin.» N. Bahmanov stated
that the issue of guarding the Aghdam-Stepanakert-Shushi-Lachin-Goris motor
road by peacekeeping forces was also clarified, «Azeris will use the road
along with Armenians. Peacekeepers will control the road in the territories
of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. The process will continue until peace is
completely achieved.» He indicated the importance of the Kazan meeting of
the two Presidents in clearing out the problems over resolution of the
conflict. He noted that some issues would be fully clarified after the
meeting.