Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
March 24 2006

Novruz Mammadov: `Co-chairs do not have any suggestions to conflicting
sides at present’

[ 24 Mar. 2006 19:34 ]

`The Minsk Group co-chairs usually exchange views on the negotiating
process over the settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh conflict, and
inform the conflicting sides about their conclusions only in the
meeting with either Foreign Minister or with President,’ the director
of the President’s Office Department of International Relations,
Novruz Mammadov told APA.

According to him, after a 20 March meeting in Washington, the
co-chairs have not initiated organizing meeting of the Foreign
Ministers.
`It seems, there is nothing to inform about it for the time being,’
Mr.Mammadov said.
Commenting on American co-chair Steven Mann’s recent statement `2006
represents a chance to solve the conflict. It is desirable to reach a
peace agreement in this year,’ Mr.Mamamdov said, `Of course, it would
be great if a peace agreement is reached, there is a good opportunity
for that. We also want to achieve this agreement. However,
Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity should be ensured, and the
conflict should be settled in compliance with international juridical
norms and principles.
We know that it is impossible to solve the conflict in a way that
will satisfy both sides. Therefore, if our proposals concerning the
settlement are accepted, we would welcome it. As coming to what
Armenia thinks concerning this issue, it is quite another matter,’
Mammadov said.
Responding to the question weather Azerbaijan will offer any
suggestions to change the format of the Minsk Group, and include a
new country into the Group regarding the static situation after the
Rambouillet meeting, the state official said that there is no such a
plan.
`I think the current format is one of the optimal formats. As coming
to inclusion of any other country into the group, there will be a
need to agree it with the opposite side, which will be a long process
then,’ he stated.
Referring to the objective of Steven Mann’s visit to Baku last week,
Mammadov said, `The co-chair came to meet the Azerbaijan’s President
again, familiarize with his stance, and express that the US is
concerned in settling of conflict as soon as possible,’ he reported.
Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov refusing to inform journalists about
the talks in Rambouillet, participation of another Russian diplomat
in Istanbul talks instead of him caused hearsays that the co-chair
will be substituted. Referring to these hearsays, Mammadov said that
Russia is responcible to substitute the co-chair.
`As coming to his refusing to give briefings, I shall remind you that
various statements were voiced before the talks in Rambouillet. So,
probably, Mr.Merzlyakov acts in a diplomatic way refusing to issue
unnecessary statements,’ Mammadov said. /APA/