OSCE MG FRENCH CO-CHAIR: 2008 WILL BECOME CRUCIAL FOR SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

arminfo
2008-01-16 16:14:00

ArmInfo. We have already stated that the year 2008 will become crucial
for settlement of Karabakh conflict, the parties have a good will
and that there is hope for a breakthrough in the implementation of
basic principles in the current year, OSCE Misnk Group French Co-chair
Bernard Fassier said at a meeting with NKR President in Stepanakert,
ArmInfo special correspondent to Stepanakert reports. The mediators
arrived in NKR on January 15 within the frames of their visit to
the region.

The French Co-chair stressed that it is desirable to make this
breakthrough before the presidential election in Armenia, but it is not
easy. However, it will be better if the breakthrough is made after the
election in Armenia or in Azerbaijan. There is such possibility in the
current year and we intend to achieve specific results, B. Fassier
said. He told journalists that the perspectives of the conflict
settlement, the present situation in Azerbaijan and the relations
of the region’s countries were discussed with NKR president. As
regards the perspectives of Karabakh party joining the negotiations,
Bernard Fassier said the given issue was discussed both in Yerevan and
Baku. Asked if Kosovo can become a precedent for settlement of other
conflicts, the French mediator called it a very difficult question.

The situation in Kosovo is quite different. We told about it in
Yerevan, Baku and Stepanakert. One can take only some aspects of the
Kosovo conflict.

It is an intrastate conflict. In the case of Karabakh we deal with
the international law, the conflict inside Azerbaijan and interstate
conflict at once. The example is single, but the situations are
different, Bernard Fassier said.