BAKU: Armenian FM: We’ll Insist On Azerbaijan Having Direct Talks Wi

ARMENIAN FM: WE’LL INSIST ON AZERBAIJAN HAVING DIRECT TALKS WITH NK

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 28 2006

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding the
negotiations for the settlement of the Nagorno Garabagh conflict (APA).

"Taking into account the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ report to the
OSCE Permanent Council, American co-chair Matthew Bryza’s statements
following that as well as Azerbaijan’s statement on solving the
conflict by peaceful way and giving autonomy to Nagorno Garabagh,
we state that the co-chairs announced some part of the principles of
settling the conflict. However, the issue regarding corridor between
Armenia and Nagorno Garabagh and status of Nagorno Garabagh until
the referendum has not been clarified. The co-chairs for the first
time declared that the status of Nagorno Garabagh will be determined
by Nagorno Garabagh population through a referendum. The disputed
issue in the negotiating process is not related to the referendum,
the Presidents have agreed on this matter. The clash of opinion
between Azerbaijan and Armenia is related to the succession of
removing consequences of the armed conflict in Nagorno Garabagh,"
the Armenian Foreign Ministry says.

The Armenian FM also stated that the principles proposed by the OSCE
Minsk Group create a ground for the continuation of the negotiating
process.

"We are ready to continue to have talks with Azerbaijan regarding
these principles. We think Azerbaijan’s changeable position regarding
these principles poses serious obstacle to achieving a success in the
talks. If this policy goes on, Armenia will insist on Azerbaijan’s
having direct talks with Nagorno Garabagh. We remind Azerbaijan that
it will not be able to make the Nagorno Garabagh population give
up the right to freedom and self-determination irrespective of the
volume of its military budget," the Armenian FM concludes.