FROM ARMENIA’S POSITION OSCE NEEDS REFORMS
By Agavni Haroutiunian, Madrid, translated by L.H

AZG Armenian Daily #223
04/12/2007

OSCE Ministerial Council

On November 30, in the framework of OSCE Ministerial Council OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan
met with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel
Angel Moratinos. Then took place a meeting within narrow bounds with
the assistance of OSCE MG Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers of Armenia
and Azerbaijan.

After the meeting Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian informed
that the meeting was concise, and also several variants of dates of
Co-chairs’ future visits were presented.

To the question of "Azg" daily about the efficiency of the Council’s
works connected with Armenia, Vartan Oskanian answered that it was
rather critical meeting that was in negotiation process even at the
end of it.

The Council didn’t issue a political declaration, as there were
serious disagreements on different issues.

"Fortunately, it was positive for us. We could reach a joint agreement
on Karabakh issue in the sense of formulation.

There will not be a political declaration and it testifies that
there are issues in OSCE region that are not settled yet. I don’t
know what kind of influence it will have on its future activities,
but it’s evident that there are serious disagreements that impede
reaching a consensus.

What about the review of OSCE Ministerial Council on Karabakh issue,
according to Oskanian a meeting of Co-chair countries took place
at the level of Ministers that will have a continuation when the
Co-chairs visit the region.

The Armenian position is clear on the reforms of OSCE.

"According to us, the organization still needs some reforms. Another
important issue is Kosovo issue. It is a serious issue. There
are serious disagreements; from one side between Serbia and OSCE
member countries; Russia also announced his position, from the other
side, the conflicts in OSCE region – Georgia, Nagorno Karabakh and
Transdniester. They cannot reach joint formulations, besides Nagorno
Karabakh issue.

According to Vartan Oskanian, other issues of OSCE were also discussed,
i.e. future possible participation in Afghanistan, budget issues,
the issue of the next Chairman country; Kazakhstan tendered for 2009.