MATTHEW BRYZA: "ALL MINSK GROUP MEMBER-STATES RECOGNIZE THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN"

Today.Az
s/politics/50725.html
Feb 17 2009
Azerbaijan

"There are three basic principles around the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
that must be balanced to satisfy both parties", said US co-chair of
OSCE Minsk group Matthew Bryza in his interview to Capital newspaper.

"I have noticed that in both Armenia and Azerbaijan journalists often
prefer to quote on the extracts of my statements that reflect their
positions. To reach fair and stable resolution the sides must make
mutual concessions, reflecting the backing points.

The United States, Russia, France and all Minsk Group member-states
recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, which is
an important principle for this country. Yet the principle of
self-determination is most important for Armenia.

For bilateral coordination any variant of solution must take into
account the principles of territorial integrity and self-determination
as well as non-appliance of force.

These three principles are included into the main regulations of
the Helsinki final act The main goal of the Minsk group is balancing
these principles, appropriate for both parties", said US co-chair of
the OSCE Minsk group.

Notably the principle of non-application of force was fixed in the
Moscow declaration.

The Capital journalist asked Matthew Bryza, whether it was true that
"Azerbaijan’s bellicose statements" are aimed just for internal
consumption.

"The conflict has no military solution. The principle of
non-application of force must be fixed in any peaceful declaration
in case you want it to be balanced, fair and dutable. Most officials
often make contraversial statements".

Bryza listed Ilham Aliyev’s words: "We consider that the potential
of the negotiation process has not exhausted yet and the adherence
to the negotiation process is that main argument which confirms our
constructive position".

He also announced that during the upcoming visit to the region the
co-chairs must discuss the request of the presidents which they voiced
in Zurich – to help them develop formulations to remove differences
between the sides regarding basic principles.