Parties far from reaching agreement, Russian co-chair says

14.07.2005 15:09

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov
(Russia), Bernard Fassier (France), and Steven Mann (US) had a
four-hour conversation on July 13 with Nagorno Karabakh Republic
President Arkady Ghukasian.

As reported by Armenpress, following the talks, Merzlyakov told
reporters that conflicting parties should not wait for the mediators
to suggest solutions. He also noted that the sides are still to far
from reaching a settlement agreement.

In his turn, Mann indicated that there are many views upon which no
agreements have been reached. “There are many complications,” Mann
said. “But the spirit of the talks is what matters.”

The co-chairs refused to comment on options for the Karabakh status or
the issue of holding a referendum. They called the meeting with
Ghukasian “very constructive and interesting.”