KAREL DE GUCHT: I’M NOT A PESSIMIST, BUT NOT AN EXCESSIVE OPTIMIST, EITHER

ArmRadio.am
23.05.2006 15:58

“I’m not a pessimist, but I’m not that optimistic about reaching mutual
concessions in the Karabakh issue in 2006,” declared Karel de Gucht,
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Belgium.

In his words, the OSCE takes every effort to have the parties come
to a common solution of the Karabakh issue. Sometimes the hope for
soon settlement reinforces, sometimes weakens.

“Everything depends on both Armenia and Azerbaijan, they should come
to an agreement themselves, the OSCE can only provide assistance,”
Karel de Gucht underlined.

He noted also that the resolution of the conflict is sometimes hindered
by side circumstances, which worsen the situation. One of these side
circumstances in the Karabakh issue is the closed Armenian-Turkish
border, which hinders the settlement of the issue. As for the prospects
of resolution, the OSCE Chairman advises to be optimistic in any case.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress