MATTHEW BRYZA: THE US IS PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO THE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT NOW THAN EVER BEFORE

Azeri Press Agency
18 Sep 2008 19:36
Azerbaijan

Baku. Tamara Grigoryeva – APA. American co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group
Matthew Bryza held a press conference on the outcomes of his visit
to Baku. APA reports that the co-chair said Azerbaijan and the Unites
States continued active cooperation.

"The main aspect of this cooperation is the settlement of Nagorno
Karabakh conflict," he said.

Matthew Bryza said the Unites States supported Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity.

"We intend to help the conflicting parties to reach an agreement. This
agreement should be based on the countries’ territorial integrity,
later we should use other practice of the international law. We should
find a way satisfying both sides, then a deal should be signed as in
business. Our leadership is paying more attention to the settlement
of Nagorno Karabakh conflict now than ever before," he said.

Matthew Bryza said he planned to meet with other co-chair Bernard
Fassier in Baku and hoped to continue cooperation with Russian co-chair
Yuri Merzlyakov.

The co-chair also took a stance on the Caucasus Cooperation and
Stability Pact initiated by Turkey.

"Any step serving to establish peace in the region is
praiseworthy. Turkey is the ally of both the United States and
Azerbaijan. It is good if this country wants to contribute to the
establishment of peace. Some countries of the region ask why the US and
European Union do not participate in this platform, why only Turkey
and Russia are represented in the new format. And Georgia says that
it is not ready to participate in this project together with Russia,
which violated the country’s territorial integrity. Turkey is not
the co-chair of OSCE Minsk group, but this country knows more about
Azerbaijan and Armenia," he said.

Matthew Bryza appreciated the steps taken to normalize the relations
between Turkey and Armenia.

"Both countries have made steps important from political aspect. This
is a new direction, there is a need for new directions after the
happenings in Georgia," he said.

Taking a stance on the meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents
American co-chair said the heads of states determine when they
should meet.

"We, diplomats only give recommendations," he said.

Speaking about the attitude of GUAM countries towards the happenings
in Georgia, Matthew Bryza said the organization openly supported
official Tbilisi.

"For example, Viktor Yushchenko openly expressed this
support. Sometimes this support was silent, but too important,"
he said.

Matthew Bryza said the policy of the United States on the region
would not change.

"We will be more active in the region," he said.