VARTAN OSKANIAN: "TALKS WERE SLOW TO MOVE DESPITE EXISTING GROUNDWORK:" NEXT MEETING OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS TO BE HELD IN APRIL

Noyan Tapan
Mar 14 2007

GENEVA, MARCH 14, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Vartan
Oskanian, concluded a regular meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs, together with the Azerbaijani FM, in Geneva on March 14.

As NT was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department, the Minister explained that Armenia remains committed
to the principles in the document that is being negotiated. In his
words, although there are many secondary issues outstanding still,
the principles contained in the document address the fundamental issues
with the right trade-offs, that could lead to a lasting resolution.

In Oskanian’s words, "the talks were slow to move, despite the
existing groundwork, as attempt was made to discuss second-layer
details pertaining to the principles in the document. Although there
is clearer understanding of each other’s positions, one thing is
evident that there are deep differences. We believe that there can
still be enough progress to warrant a meeting of the presidents,
and for that reason we agreed to another meeting in April."

This meeting followed a recent visit to the region by French co-chair
Bernard Fassier, who, on behalf of the other two co-chairs Yuri
Merzlyakov of Russia, and Matthew Bryza of the US, attempted to
ascertain the positions of the two presidents, in the run-up to this
meeting of foreign ministers.