G8 DISCUSSED THE ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT
[July 17, 2006, 21:11:16]

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
July 17 2006

The problem of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict was discussed in the frames of the Summit of heads the
"Great Eight" passed on July 15-17 in St. Petersburg. For the first
time Russia presided over the Summit.

As the press service of the Kremlin said, in the Statement of Chairman
of the Summit is noted, that during the meeting the question on
situation around Nagorno Karabakh has been lifted. In the Statement,
it has been confirmed, that "the group of eight" supports intermediary
efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group (Russia, USA, France) and necessity
of the quick coordination of main principles of peace settlement of
the conflict in 2006. The Statement says: "We call Azerbaijan and
Armenia to show political will, to reach the agreement and prepare
their peoples for peace".

In opinion of experts, discussion of the question on settlement of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict at the summit of the
"group of eight" where the three of the countries of co-chairmen of the
OSCE Minsk Group, testifies to attention of the world community to this
problem and aspiration to render political influence on its solution.

In opinion of observers, inauguration of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline also erects this question in frameworks priority as
full-scale realization of the "Contract of the Century" assumes
long-term and predicted safety of the country which is impossible
without the settlement of disputable territorial questions.

Analysts also assume, that representatives of OSCE MG stir up the
activity in search of mutually acceptable decisions for the quick
coordination of main principles of peace settlement and try to do it
this year.