Karabakh Conflict Settlement Process Should Be Returned To OSCE MG R

KARABAKH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT PROCESS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO OSCE MG REAL FORMAT

Arka News Agency, Armenia
May 25 2007

YEREVAN, May 24. /ARKA/. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement
should be returned to the OSCE Minsk Group’s real format, said
Assistant to the NKR President, ex-Foreign Minister of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan.

"In fact, the Minsk Group format has undergone a negotiation format
at the level of presidents and foreign ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan," he said.

According to Melikyan, the Nagorno-Karabakh’s participation in the
negotiation process will allow "transforming the false format into
a real one".

"The present format is false because Nagorno-Karabakh does not stand
out as a side of the conflict. That is why it is important to return
to the real format of negotiations, and only then to talk about a just
decision which will be difficult but by compromise," Melikyan said.

He believes that the participation of Karabakh side in the negotiations
will allow removing the hostile atmosphere between the sides of
conflict.

"Now the most dangerous circumstance is that Armenia seems an aggressor
and Karabakh factor is being removed, meanwhile Nagorno-Karabakh is
the major side of the conflict. From this point of view withdrawing
one participant of the negotiations means that the Co-Chairs or sides
may come to a providential result, where the NKR interests may appear
not at the first place," he said.

In this connection Melikyan pointed out that Armenia’s President
never represented Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Head of Armenia can participate in the negotiations taking into
account the interests of Karabakh, but he cannot represent the NKR,"
he said.