AZERBAIJAN HOPES FOR QUICKER KARABAKH SETTLEMENT – AZIMOV

Interfax, Russia
July 30 2007

BAKU. July 30 (Interfax) – Azerbaijan hopes for a quicker settlement
of the Karabakh conflict, Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said
on Monday. "If the current situation persists, neither side will
benefit from it," he said. "We can only hope that the intermediaries
take serious and resolute attempts and continue the drafting of an
agreement which will lay down the settlement principles suggested
over the past three years," he said. "The Armenian president asked
for a timeout in St. Petersburg. He was given enough time. Probably,
the Armenian administration will analyze national interests correctly
and make positive changes in its position," Azimov said. First and
foremost, it is necessary to create conditions for the safe coexistence
of Azeri and Armenian communities in Karabakh, he said.