BRYZA: ARMENIAN, AZERI PRESIDENTS SEEM COMMITTED TO TRY TO REACH A FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.11.2008 16:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A U.S. official said there is progress in the
efforts to resolve the long-standing Nagorno Karabakh conflict but
refrained from declaring an end to tensions in the Caucasus.

"There is a lot progress in the Nagorno Karabakh issue. There is a
lot happening. I can’t predict if or when we will succeed. But the
presidents of both Armenia and Azerbaijan seem committed to try to
reach a framework agreement now," said Matt Bryza, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Bryza, who is the American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group that acts
as a mediator between Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve the conflict,
also said Turkey can play a huge role in facilitating a resolution,
helping the mediation role by maintaining strong relations with
Azerbaijan and normalizing relations with Armenia.

Although Bryza sounded optimistic on the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, he cautioned that the tension in the Caucasus is far from
being over, Hurriyet daily reports.