OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS: "KARABAKH WILL JOIN THE NEGOTIATIONS SOONER OR LATER"

Today.Az
June 30 2008
Azerbaijan

President of the unrecognized "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" Baco Saakyan
received OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Saturday.

The co-chairs -Bernard Fassier (France), Matthew Bryza (USA) and
Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) discussed a wide range of issues of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement.

The press service for the "president" of the unrecognized republic
reported that during the meeting Saakyan said it is impossible to
attain the eventual resolution of the conflict without participation of
"Nagorno Karabakh Republic".

He stated that "anti-Armenian propaganda" and "bellicose" statements
of the Azerbaijani side undermine the negotiation process, as well
as peace and stability in the region.

The separatist leader also shifted the blame for the March 4 events
on the front line on Azerbaijan.

He said official Khankendi is for peaceful resolution of the problem
and establishment of a dialogue with Baku.

Saakyan also noted that the Karabakh issue should be resolved in the
framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and Azerbaijan’s attempts to transfer
it to other instances tense the situation with the conflict settlement.

The co-chairs agreed with his opinion and stressed readiness to
encourage peaceful resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. At the
same time the diplomats noted that Karabakh will join negotiations
sooner or later.

The meeting was attended by "Foreign Minister" of the "Nagorno
Karabakh Republic" Georgy Petrosyan and personal representative of
OSCE chairman-in-office Andzhei Kaspshik.