RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MINSK GROUP: IT IS HARD TO EXPECT INTERPRETATION OF MOSCOW DECLARATION IN ARMENIA TO COMPLETELY COINCIDE WITH THAT IN AZERBAIJAN

ArmInfo
2008-11-17 15:45:00

ArmInfo. "It is hard to expect interpretation of the Moscow Declaration
in Azerbaijan to completely coincide with that in Armenia, Russian
Co-chairman of OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov said during a
press-conference, Monday.

"It is also hard to imagine complete unanimity on this issue in both
countries", – he said.

He also added it is difficult for him to comment on the statements made
in Azerbaijan. "We are judging by what we heard from President Aliyev
when meeting him three days ago. His assessments were quite positive.

Particularly, he said signing of the Declaration is the direct evidence
of the fact that each party sees positive things in this document,
and this is quite natural", Merzlyakov said.

"The document says nothing about certain possible settlement. It
only says that settlement must be political, peaceful, which is not
insignificant by itself, and that the talks must be continued on the
basis of International Law principles and standards. In addition,
the document says that the settlement will be based on the proposals
handed over to the parties to the conflict by the co-chairmen in Madrid
last year (the so-called Madrid principles), and finally, the document
contains instruction to both countries’ foreign ministers to activate
their efforts to complete the coordination on the basic settlement
principles on the above-mentioned basis through the mediation of the
MG co-chairmen", Merzlyakov said in conclusion.