Interfax, Russia
June 10 2009

Baku accepts Minsk Group plan, Armenia not ready to compromise – Baku

BAKU June 10

The problem of Nagorno-Karabakh could be settled if Armenia reassessed
its positions, Azeri Deputy Foreign Minster Araz Azimov said on
Wednesday.

"We would very much want Armenia to think and ready itself to take the
necessary steps in its own interests and in the interests of regional
development," Azimov told the media.

"These steps involve the settlement of difficult individual aspects of
the basic principles we are discussing now. Among them there are
several important issues, a solution for which has been proposed by
the co-chairmen," he added.

The Azeri side on the whole accepts the proposals, made by the co-
chairmen of the Minsk Group, but there were elements on which the
sides must negotiate, Azimov also said.

"At the same time, we do not see the expected readiness to compromise
on Armenia’s part. This could be because of the replacement of
Armenian leadership last year. But we must act, guided by the current
conditions. After the meeting in St. Petersburg the efficiency of the
next steps depends primarily on the evolution of the Armenian
position," the Azeri diplomat said.

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