OSCE SECRETARY GENERAL WELCOMES HELSINKI STATEMENT ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

Trend News Agency
Dec 15 2008
Azerbaijan

The OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut welcomes
statement of the OSCE foreign ministers on the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict made in Helsinki, Novosti-Armenia reported.

"The Helsinki statement by the 56 foreign ministers is very important
document and peak in this issue. We should assist sides in the
resolution of the conflict and continuing talks," Brichambaut told
press conference in Yerevan on Dec. 15.

Secretary General said statement by the OSCE foreign ministers
and foreign ministers of the OSCE co-chair countries issued on the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in early Dec are compatible and do not
contradict each-other. He stated that he can not say concrete date of
resolution of the conflict adding that the Helsinki documents gives
hopes that the sides will continue talks on high level.

"The sides need to demonstrate more flexible position and create an
atmosphere of respect and trust," Brichambaut said.

In his part, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandyan noted that document adopted
by the OSCE foreign ministers in Helsinki deals with the resolution of
the conflict by peaceful political means and strengthening ceasefire,
bringing position of the sides together with the help of the OSCE
Minsk Group co-chairmen.

"The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen have made a statement in the same
spirit in attempt to hold talks and move closer position of the sides
on the resolution of the conflict by peaceful political means under
international norms and principles through cooperation with the OSCE
MG co-chairmen in line with Madrid principles," Nalbandyan said.

The statement of the OSCE co-chairmen issued on Dec. 4, says
that Moscow Declaration signed by the sides marks a new and
promising stage in the common strive to establish peace in the
South Caucasus. Presidents confirmed their commitment to peaceful
resolution of the conflict within the mediation efforts of the Minsk
Group co-chairmen and Basic Principles developed by the co-chairmen
through cooperation with Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents on basis
of their proposals made in Madrid in 2007.