Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 14 2006

Novruz Mammadov: OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ stances do not coincide

[ 14 Apr. 2006 20:18 ]

`It is early to express an opinion on the new proposals made by OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairs regarding the settlement of the Nagorno
Garabagh conflict,’ said Novruz Mammadov, director of Presidential
Administration Department for International Relations.

`The proposals should be grouped and formed in order to air an
opinion on this. If a specific proposal is put forward, we’ll express
our opinion,’ Mr. Mammadov added.
The state official thinks that the stances of the conflicting sides
not just the stances of the Minsk Group are important.
`There should be some changes in the sides’ stances, they should take
a constructive position and take serious steps to solve the
conflict,’ he underlined.
Commenting on OSCE Minsk Group French co-chair Bernard Fassier’s
statement `The new proposals can satisfy both sides 80 percent’ and
Russian co-chairs Yri Merzlyakov’s statement `If both sides are
satisfied 50 percent, I would think the mediation had been
fulfilled’, Mammadov said that every co-chair make proposal basing on
their certain conclusions.
`The co-chairs’ stances do not coincide. The main thing for us is to
liberate our territories from occupation, make the internally
displaced persons return to their native lands, and ensure the
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within the international
juridical norms,’ the Department director said.
Responding to the question whether Azerbaijan will agree to the
liberation of 50% or 80% of its occupied territories, Mammadov said
Azerbaijan can never consent to this.
Commenting on the stance of Azerbaijan to the co-chairs’ suggestion
of organizing a meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents,
Mammadov stressed that the co-chairs’ opinion do not coincide
regarding this issue either.
`There can be an opinion, if there is an opportunity for the meeting
of the Presidents,’ he added.
Mammadov also touched on the American co-chair Steven Mann’s visit to
Baku scheduled for 18 April, explaining it by the recent intensified
negotiating process.
`Therefore, the co-chairs often visit the region to express their
stances, exchange views and consult together on the issue,’ Mammadov
concluded./APA/