Interfax, Russia
April 17 2009

Karabakh talks focus on gradual return of territories – U.S. diplomat

BAKU April 17

The parties to the Karabakh talks are discussing a gradual resolution
of the conflict, said Matthew Bryza, the U.S. co-chairman of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk
Group.

The current talks are focused on how to resolve the Karabakh conflict
gradually and peacefully. The gradual return of territories and
security issues are at the center of the talks, Bryza said in an
interview with Azeri television channel ATV.

Gradual return of territories is part of a balanced plan, which
includes the opening of transit routes and the determining of the
political status of Nagorno-Karabakh, he said.

The meetings between the Azeri and Armenian presidents will also
intensify as part of what has been achieved so far, the diplomat said.

The Azeri and Armenian leaders will meet in late May, possibly June,
to exchange their views on the basic principles of the settlement
process, on which the parties disagree, Bryza said.

Also, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen could meet with the presidents
of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the summer to give an impetus to the
two-month process of reaching a final agreement, the U.S. co-chairman
said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is being mediated by the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairmen representing the United States, Russia and France.