TALKS ON RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT INTENSIFIES – FRENCH CO-CHAIR AT OSCE MINSK GROUP
Author: A.Mammadova

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Russian Ambassador, Yuriy Merzlyakov,
stated in Baku on 22 November that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have
further proposals on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
which at present is being discussed confidentially, Trend reports.

Speaking on the results of the visit to Yerevan and talks held
with the Armenian leaders, the mediator said that the Armenian side
confirmed its willingness to participate in the talks. We hope the
same applies in Baku by the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev,"
he added. The diplomat also noted that the U.S. Ambassador, Matthew
Bryza, intends to meet with the leader of the Armenian community of
Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkadiy Gukasian in Los Angeles, and therefore,
was unable to visit the region with the Minsk Group mission.

Nevertheless, he voiced his hope that all 3 co-chairs would be present
at the meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Minsk
on 28 November 2006.

The French Ambassador Fassie announced that negotiations are continuing
intensively. "We have met with the Foreign Ministers three times
over the last few weeks. We are trying to build a wall in the hope
of establishing a base for future agreements on the resolution of
the conflict. We add a brick each time a positive step is taken,"
he stated .