Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2008

OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Expect for Oral Agreement Between
Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents before Presidential Elections in
both countries (video)
14.01.08 11:00

Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr. Ê.Ramazanova / Matthew Bryza, the
United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the OSCE Minsk
Group expects signing of an oral agreement between the Presidents of
Azerbaijan and Armenia before the presidential elections in the both
countries. `There would not be a treaty before the elections.
However, we are waiting for an oral agreement between the Presidents
of the states,’ Bryza said in the Baku airport on 13 January
answering to journalists questions.

Bryza touched upon the Kosovo and Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts, he said
that there was not any connection between the both conflicts.

The conflict between the two countries of the South Caucasus began in
1988, due to the Armenian territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
Since 1992, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20% of
Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and its seven
neighbouring districts. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a
ceasefire agreement which ended the active hostilities. The Co-Chairs
of the OSCE Minsk Group ( Russia, France, and the US) are currently
holding the peaceful negotiations.