DIFFERENCES ARE VIVID AND PROFOUND

A1+
[12:08 pm] 15 March, 2007

Armenia’s Foreign Minister, Vartan Oskanian, concluded a regular
meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, together with the
Azerbaijani FM, in Geneva.

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.

Minister Oskanian said, "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."

The Minister explained that Armenia remains committed to the principles
in the document that is being negotiated. 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.