KARABAKH TALKS IN MOSCOW SEEN AS POSITIVE

Hurriyet
Aug 4 2008
Turkey

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan struck a positive
tone and pledged to keep talking about a possible peace deal for the
frozen conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh after they met for talks in Moscow,
a Russian newspaper reported on Monday.

Friday’s meeting had proved useful and consultations should be
continued in a similar format, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian was quoted by The Moscow Times.

Nalbandian added there is a chance of him reconvening with his Azerian
counterpart at the next U.N. General Assembly session. "There are
sensitive issues, they should be handled cautiously. We are trying
to create an adequate environment for negotiations to continue,"
he was quoted by Interfax news agency.

"If we feel we have found a common platform, then nothing is
impossible," Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the outcome of the occupation of
Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, stands as the principal obstacle to
the political stability, economic development and regional cooperation
in the Southern Caucasus. The conflict is also responsible for the
deplorable situation of the nearly one million refugees and internally
displaced persons in Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh residents will decide for themselves whether the
republic will be under Azeri control or be independent, U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State and co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew
Bryza said after the meeting.

A referendum on Nagorno Karabakh’s status is possible in 15-20 years,
Novruz Mammadov, head of the international relations department at
the Azeri presidential administration said.

"These processes may become possible only after the return of Azeri
refugees and displaced persons," he added.

The Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe is a body co-headed by Russia, the United States and France
and appointed to mediate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Turkey expressed on Monday it hopes that the parties could reach a
consensus on the issue, but rejected the proposal for a referendum.

As a member of the Minsk Group, Turkey considers the Minsk Process as
a useful mechanism to reach a peaceful, lasting and just settlement
in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which constitutes the key foreign
policy issue for Azerbaijan. Turkey believes that the international
community should actively engage in efforts geared towards creating
a favorable environment conducive to overcoming the existing stalemate.