YEREVAN DOES NOT FEAR BAKU WITHDRAWAL FROM OSCE MINSK GROUP
Interfax News Agency
March 20 2008
Russia
Yerevan is ready to continue Karabakh settlement negotiations with
Baku, Armenian President Robert Kocharian told a press conference
on Thursday.
"We have always been ready for negotiations, as this is the only way
to resolve the Karabakh conflict," he said.
The OSCE Minsk Group format is the best way of settlement, he said.
"This does not mean though that we will cling to this format if
Azerbaijan rejects it."
Baku has recently suggested changing the format of the settlement
negotiations.
"The main reason for the position of Azerbaijan is the recognition
of independent Kosovo, which caused profound concerns in Baku. They
are trying to seize the initiative and create counterbalances just
in case the precedent is used," Kocharian said.
"If their behavior does not change, our next step should be the
recognition of independent Karabakh and the signing of related
treaties," said Kocharian, whose presidency expires on April 9.
"At least, that is what I would do if I were the president: to
recognize and to sign cooperation agreements, especially those
military," he said.