SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN: STEPANAKERT SHOULD RETURN TO THE BARGAINING TABLE AT SOME POINT

armradio.am
04.06.2009 11:58

"Today the OSCE Minsk Group is the only internationals structure,
which is fully informed of the problem, knows its genesis and closely
cooperates with the monitoring group that follows the cease-fire
regime. Therefore, the Minsk Group is the format with which we connect
the hopes for progress, especially considering that it is represented
by powers like Russia, USA and the whole Europe in the face of France,"
Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan said in an
interview with "Novosti Armenia."

Does the Armenian side consider that the involvement of Stepanakert
as a party to the talks at some point is unavoidable? "If Azerbaijan
really wants a peaceful solution and does not use the negotiations
to propagate its own position, it will agree that the real party to
the conflict, Nagorno Karabakh, should sit at the bargaining table,"
Shavarsh Kocharyan said.

Which are the expectations of the Armenian side from the meeting of
the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents in Saint Petersburg? According
to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the Armenian side has always been
constructive.

"We anticipate results from every meeting. At least, the Maindorf
declaration was signed. It was another step towards peaceful
settlement," he said.

"Our position is very20constructive, but at the same time the outcome
of this meeting depends on the constructiveness of the Azerbaijani
side, which constantly tries to present its everyday blackmailing
statements and constructiveness," Shavarsh Kocharyan concluded.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress