ONE MORE REJECTION OF PEACEFUL PLAN BY AZERBAIJAN CAN SERIOUSLY COMPLICATE
SITUATION, VARTAN OSKANIAN THINKS

YEREVAN, JULY 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "We do not expect
new proposals from OSCE Minsk Group American Co-chair Matthew Bryza,
our expectations from Bryza’s visit are connected with the circumstance
that he will return Azerbaijan to the negotiations table, at which the
frame agreement is discussed, and if Azerbaijan’s consent is received,
possibly, a new stage will start in the negotiations," RA Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian declared at the July 24 joint press conference
with EU Special Representative to the South Caucasus Peter Semneby.

In the Minister’s words, a new proposal "cannot be born from air,"
as it should be a synthesis of the negotiations, and if there have not
been new negotiations, there can be no new radical proposals. Vartan
Oskanian did not exclude the possibility of Bryza’s presenting "small
changes connected with the prepared document."

The Minister stated that the documents like the frame agreement
on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict proposed by the
Co-chairs are not created within a week but are born as a result of
long negotiations. "I think it will be a pity to once more miss such
an opportunity as this document. As this document will be the third
plan of the settlement after the "common state" and "Key West." And
if Azerbaijan once more rejects the plan, I think the situation will
be seriously complicated," Vartan Oskanian declared.

He did not exclude, either, possible developments in the negotiations
process in 2007: "Though the whole attention will be concentrated on
the elections, if a possibility is created next year, it should be
used by all means."

Peter Semneby declared that EU pays a hightened attention to the
South Caucasus, as its borders become more and more close to this
region. Besides, EU shows a great interest in the South Caucasus
also in the respect of the peaceful settlement of the conflicts
existing there.

"We follow the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
and are ready to take any measures aimed at increasing confidence
between the conflict parties," Peter Semneby declared.