BAKO SAHAKYAN: AZERBAIJAN’S BELLICOSE RHETORIC NEGATIVELY AFFECTS THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS

armradio.am
30.06.2008 10:22

On June 28, NKR President Bako Sahakyn met with OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs Matthew Byza (USA), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and Bernard
Fassier (France).

A wide range of issues concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement was discussed during the meeting.

Bako Sahakyn emphasized that the final solution to the problem is
impossible without Karabakh’s participation in the negotiation process.

The President noted that Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian propaganda and
bellicose rhetoric don’t promote the formation of an atmosphere of
mutual confidence and affect the negotiation process and maintenance
of peace and stability in the region as well. The hostilities provoked
by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the Martakert region on March 4
illustrate it.

The NKR President again noted that official Stepanakert stands for
peaceful settlement of the conflict and establishment of a direct
dialogue with Baku.

Bako Sahakyn noted that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict should be
settled within the OSCE Minsk group framework and Azerbaijan’s
attempts to transfer it to other instances do not further the conflict
settlement. The Co-Chairs shared the President’s viewpoint.

They also expressed their readiness to assist the peaceful settlement
of the conflict and noted that NKR’s participation in the negotiation
process is a question of time.

NKR Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan and Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk attended the meeting.