US EMBASSY IN ARMENIA PUBLICIZED THE STATEMENT OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS

ArmRadio.am
29.06.2006 11:52

Yesterday US Embassy in Armenia publicized the text of the statement
of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs made June 22nd at the OSCE Permanent
Council. The Co-Chairs underline they see no sense in initiating
additional meetings between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,
unless they demonstrate adequate political will to overcome the rest of
the misunderstandings. The statement includes the principles presented
to the consideration of the Presidents of the two countries.

Armenian military units should be withdrawn from Azerbaijani
territories around Nagorno-Karabakh; special attention should be paid
to Kelbajar and Lachin regions.

For determining the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh it is
envisaged to hold a referendum or a general voting, the terms of which
have not been set so far. The referendum or the voting should come
in the result of a compromise agreement between the two sides. The
parties are obliged to continue the talks to decide upon the terms
and format of the referendum. International peacekeeping forces will
be deployed in the conflict zone.

"Now it is time for the two Presidents to try to achieve progress
in the settlement process. This is the only way to reinforce the
positive results achieved during the last two years of negotiations,"
the statement says.