Today, Azerbaijan
May 26 2007

Bernard Fassier: "Returning of seven regions should the first step in
settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict"

26 May 2007 [12:59] – Today.Az

"We recognize Nagorno Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan," OSCE Minsk
Group Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov told a press conference in
Baku.

The diplomat said the meeting with President Ilham Aliyev was
efficient enough, APA reports.

"We had thorough debates with Azerbaijani President. We had met with
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov before. Matthew Bryza could not
come to Azerbaijan because of his work schedule. We are expressing
the positions of all co-chairs. All three of the co-chairs will visit
the region next time. We will try to determine the basic principles
of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. We do not intend
to publicize these principles, as they have not been completely
coordinated. But there are not many uncoordinated issues. Both
parties mean the same but speak differently while commenting on
territory. The co-chairs propose to withdraw troops from all occupied
territories. But it should be realized gradually. The process will
take much time," he said.

OSCE Minsk Group French co-chair stated that Nagorno Karabakh is
Azerbaijani land.

"No country in the world, including Armenia recognizes Nagorno
Karabakh as an independent state. All these territories should return
to the control of Azerbaijan in the end," he said.

The French co-chair said the presidential elections in France will
not change the country’s position on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

"We try to be fair mediators in the process of negotiations. No
election or change of power in the co-chairing countries will
influence this issue," he said.

He said the process of settlement has to be based on three main
principles of international law.

"The principles of the solution have to be coordinated. Easier way of
solution has to be found to every conflict. The first step in the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be returning of
seven regions. If Azerbaijan can return these regions, it will be the
starting point in the process of settlement," he said.

Bernard Fassier said the internally displaced persons will be brought
back to their native lands.

He compared the co-chairs’ mission with the work of builders.

"We are preparing a fundament," he said.

The co-chairs said that control over Lachin corridor will be a very
difficult problem. Yuri Merzlyakov said that this problem will be
debated at the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in St.
Petersburg.

"We hope that the presidents will achieve improvements. If basic
principle is coordinated, further steps will be discussed," he said.

Bernard Fassier did not rule out the co-chairs’ visit to Nagorno
Karabakh after the Presidents’ meeting.

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