ZIYAFET ASKEROV: "CHANGING THE FORMAT OF THE MINSK GROUP MAY PROTRACT TALKS ON NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT"

Today.Az
politics/47614.html
Sept 17 2008
Azerbaijan

"I do not think that there is a need for changing a format of
mediators in the talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno
karabakh. Talks should continue in the current format of the OSCE
Minsk Group", said first vice speaker of Azerbaijan’s Milli Medjlis
Ziyafet Askerov.

"We have not yet yielded the results, we expect from the Minsk
Group. But changing the format means the temporary freezing of the
negotiation process for the countries, to be in the new format,
to study the situation again and make proposals. It all may lead to
loss of time", said he.

At the same time, the first vice speaker noted that for the progress
in talks each side should adhere to the norms and principles of the
international law and noted that his words mostly refer to the Minsk
Group co-chairing countries.

Askerov noted that this conflict should be settled on the basis of
international principles and there is no alternative to it.

"Certainly, most depends on Armenia as well. This country should
finally realize that such continuation of the conflict is not promising
for them", said Askerov.