BERNARD FASSIER: "MY VISIT TO NAGORNO KARABAKH WAS COORDINATED WITH TWO OTHER CO-CHAIRS OF THE OSCE MINSK GROUP"

Today.Az
itics/47617.html
Sept 17 2008
Azerbaijan

Bernard Fassier, co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group of France, called his
meeting with head of Karabakh separatists Bako Saakyan as interesting.

The French mediator noted that he discussed with the head of the
Karabakh "state" the situation in the region, established following
the August events in South Ossetia, their influence on the negotiation
process, opportunities for additional steps in the resolution of
the conflict.

According to Fassier, it was noted during the meeting that the conflict
can not be settled by force.

Asked why the co-chairs visit the conflict sides in separate, the
French mediator said: "It is not my first visit alone. If we could,
we would come together. Our schedules are busy and they did not
coincide. But we do hope that we will be able to be in New York to
arrange the meeting between the ministers", said Bernard Fassier,
noting that he had thoroughly coordinated the said visit to Nagorno
Karabakh with Matthew Bryza and Yuri Merzlyakov.

At the same time, Fassier voiced hope that he will be able to meet
Matthew Bryza in Baku.

"I think I will arrive in Baku several hours before his departure and,
perhaps, we will have time to meet and I also hope to meet with Yuri
Merzlyakov before New York", said Bernard Fassier, recommending to the
journalists not to "search for artificial obstacles", as the co-chairs
"already have real ones".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress