SABINE FREIZER: "SITUATION AROUND THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT IS TOO SENSITIVE AT PRESENT"
Azeri Press Agency
June 2 2008
Azerbaijan
Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva-APA. "The meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents is of great importance.
I hope that the presidents will agree to review the proposals of OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chairs", Sabine Freizer, Europe Programme Director of
the International Crisis Group told APA exclusively. She said that
the situation around the negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh conflict
was too sensitive.
"The presidential elections in both countries caused this. The
presidential elections have already been held in Armenia,
this process was accompanied by hard developments, rallies and
discontents. Elections will be held in Azerbaijan. I think the
situation is sensitive, as both countries are engaged in the
elections", she said.
Assessing the change of the government in Armenia, Sabine Freizer
expressed her hope that this factor would have a positive influence
on the process of negotiations.
"New president – means new spirit, new enthusiasm. I hope Serzh
Sarkisian will have a constructive position and this factor will give
an impetus to the process of negotiations", she said.
Asked about the arsons committed in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan, Sabine Freizer said such cases were repeated every year.
"These fires occur every year and this is a serious problem. OSCE
fact-finding mission led by Bernard Snoy visited the region and gave
some recommendations to the conflict parties last year. It would be
better if they follow these recommendations", she said.