PanARMENIAN.Net

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Opinions Differ, Baku Says

15.04.2006 19:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `It is early to express an opinion on the new
proposals made by OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs regarding the settlement
of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The proposals should be grouped and
formed in order to air an opinion on this. We will express our opinion
if a specific proposal is put forward,’ said Novruz Mammadov, Director
of Presidential Administration Department for International Relations.

The state official thinks that `the stances of the conflicting sides
not those of the OSCE Minsk Group are fundamental.’ `There should be
some changes in the sides’ stances, they should take a constructive
position and take serious steps to solve the conflict,’ he
underscored. Commenting on a statement of OSCE Minsk Group French
co-chair Bernard Fassier, who said, `The new proposals can satisfy
both sides 80 percent’ and Russian co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov’s
statement `If both sides are satisfied 50 percent, I would think the
mediation had been fulfilled’, Mammadov said that every co-chair makes
proposals based on his certain considerations. `Even the opinions of
the co-chairs do not coincide,’ he added.

Responding to a question whether Azerbaijan will agree to the
liberation of 50% or 80% of its occupied territories, Mammadov said it
suits Azerbaijan by no means. 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’ opinions 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, reports APA.