LORD RUSSELL JOHNSTON: "FINDING SOLUTION TO NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IS NOT WITHIN THE MANDATE OF OUR COMMITTEE"

Azeri Press Agency
April 18 2008
Azerbaijan

Strasbourg. Fuad Gulubeyli -APA. "We have once more discussed the
meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian delegations at the session
of PACE Sub-Committee on Nagorno Karabakh", Lord Russell Johnston,
British Parliamentarian and head of the PACE Sub-Committee on Nagorno
Karabakh told APA correspondent exclusively.

He announced the reasons of postponing the meeting until the January
session. "We have decided to postpone the meeting until the next
January for two reasons. The first reason related to the current
situation in Armenia, because this problem has not been solved yet
and there is no favorable environment for the meeting in June. It was
alternatively suggested to hold meeting at the October session, but
presidential elections in Azerbaijan will take place on October 15 and
it was the second reason for the postponement of the meeting. Heads of
delegations of both countries decided to meet later in next January. It
will give us additional time for the necessary preparation for the
meeting. I think it is important that both sides agreed on the date
of the meeting. I will meet with Armenian newly-elected president
later in May". Lord Russell Johnston said he had no intentions to
visit Nagorno Karabakh region. "It would be no correct to relate
next January meeting to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict only. It is
not our main goal. Finding solutions to the conflict is not within
the mandate of our committee. We desire to assist the members of the
parliaments of both countries to establish and develop the relationship
and to achieve the objective atmosphere for the dialogue between the
parliamentarians of both countries".