BERNAR FASIE: "CHANGING NEGOTIATIONS FORMAT OUT OF QUESTION"

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Oct 2 2006

OSCE MG co-chairs Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia), Bernar Fasie (France),
Matthew Bryza (USA) have gave a press conference in Baku today,
APA reports.

They regarded the meetings with President Ilham Aliyev and Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as constructive.

Bernar Fasie said their principal aim is to restore direct dialogue
between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

We have somewhat achieved our aim in the meeting we had in Baku.

Elmar Mammadyarov agreed to meet with Vardan Oskanyan and we hope
Oskanyan to give a positive answer too".

They also tried to make clear "Co-chairs creativity has run out".

"We started mediation mission with new energy after summer holiday.

Our countries consider military solution to the conflict impossible
and make amendments to the settlement principles".

Yuri Merzlyakov said the principles changed in summer. Bernar Fasie
said they will not release the details.

Bryza said he is optimistic about meeting in Baku and hopes for
constructive meetings in Yerevan and Khankendi. Touching on Verdan
Oskanyan’s statement that Garabagh should also join the settlement
process, Fasie said that changing format of the negotiations is out
of question.

He also touched on the journalists’ remark on their calling Khankendi
as Khankendi/Stepanakert.

"We want to make the parties closer by using this form".

Yuri Merzlyakov took a stance on the issue of Lachin and Kalbajar.

"Liberation of Lachin and Kalbajar is an issue which can be discussed
by the Foreign Ministers, we can say nothing until they agree on this
issue".