YURI MERZLYAKOV: INITIATIVES ON RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAGH CONFLICT WITHIN UN IMPEDE PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Feb 20 2007

In an interview with Trend the OSCE Minsk group Russian Co-Chair
Yuri Merzlyakov stated the initiatives on the resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabagh conflict within UN impeded the peaceful negotiations
on the issue. He noted, "Efforts should be taken to agree the key
principles; one should not focus attention on other matters".

According to Yuri Merzlyakov, if the issue is discussed within
the UN, the known response of the Armenian party, which insists on
bringing Nagorno-Karabagh into negotiations, will be undesirable. He
stressed the UN resolutions were aimed at Armenia’s influencing
Karabagh. Therefore Armenia states if the issue is introduced to the
UN, Azerbaijan will have to negotiate with the Nagorno-Karabagh. The
Russian Co-Chair is sure it may affect the negotiation process.

With regards to the date, when the next meeting between the Azerbaijani
and Armenian FMs is to be held, Yuri Merzlyakov said the meeting was
expected to be held early March 2007, however, the Co-Chairs were
unable to receive confirmation from the conflicting parties.

He also added one of the OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs would visit the
region to solve organizational and other issues prior to the meeting
to be held between RA and AR FMs.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress