MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN MAY TAKE PLACE
IMMEDIATELY AFTER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, VARTAN OSKANIAN SAYS
YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. "There are all grounds to suppose that
a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in
Geneva will have positive results if only the Azerbaijani side does
not impede this and in advance does not accuse the Armenian side of
being non-constructive." Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
declared this at the March 9 press conference. He expressed
bewilderment in connection with the negative position of Azerbaijani
side to the draft document on settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
which was proposed by OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen. In the Minister’s
words, the sides expressed satisfaction with many points of document
at the level of President’s of the two countries. "The position of
Azeris to the document does not correspond to its letter and
essence. We confirm our positive attitude to the document,"
V. Oskanian declared. He reported that the meeting between Armenian
and Azerbaijani Presidents may take place immediately after the
parliamentary elections of RA. As regards the draft resolution On
Protracted Conflicts the GUAM countries submitted for consideration of
UN General Assembly, V. Oskanian mentioned that the states having
direct interests in the South Caucasus are discontented: "They must
not pile up together all conflicts of the South Caucasus. Especially
as it is OSCE that is engaged in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict." As
regards the project of construction of Kars-Akhalkalak-Tbilisi-Baku
railway corridor, V. Oskanian said that Armenia continues to be
against that project. "This is a project having no prospect and it
will have negative consequences for the atmosphere in the region and
for regional cooperation," the Minister declared. He also reported
that his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov will visit Armenia in early
April.