RUSSIAN DEPUTY FM GRUSHKO TOUCHES ON NK CONFLICT AT PACE

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 29 2006

Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, chair of the Council of Europe
Committee of Ministers addressed the plenary meeting of the Council
of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) today.

APA’s Europe bureau reports Mr.Grushko responded to the questions asked
by parliamentarians. Azerbaijani parliamentarians Aydin Mirzazadeh,
Rafael Huseynov and Ganira Pashayeva addressed him some questions
regarding the Nagorno Garabagh conflict. Mr.Grushko tried to make
common answers to the questions and said Russia’s presidency of the
Committee of Ministers will have a positive impact on the resolution
of the conflict.

"The OSCE Minsk Group remains as main mediator regarding this issue.

First of all, Azerbaijan and Armenia should come to an agreement on
resolution. The Minsk Group is making all efforts to promote to find
a suitable compromise. The parties could not agree on mainly two or
three principles in the negotiations. We welcome the regular meetings
of the heads of state for the resolution of the conflict. Despite
lack of improvement in the negotiations, it is good that none of the
parties step back from the peaceful settlement process," the deputy
foreign minister said.