NEW RUSSIAN CO-CHAIR OF OSCE MINSK GROUP ARRIVES IN BAKU

NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY
APRIL 20, 2010
BAKU

Igor Popov – the new Russian Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group
arrived in Baku. He was accompanied by the former Russian Co-Chair
Yuri Merzlyakov.

At Baku Airport, I. Popov told reporters that he would try to make his
contribution to the Karabakh conflict settlement. "Russia’ position on
the conflict is known and remains the same. The most important thing is
not to lose the high activity of the negotiation process," he declared.

In the words of Yuri Merzlyakov, there will be "serious discussions"
with Azerbaijani leadership. The U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk
Group Robert Bradtke also arrived in Baku, while the French Co-Chair
Bernard Fassier did not join his colleagues this time.

According to Azerbaijani mass media, the talks with Azerbaijani leaders
will be held in secret conditions: the press was not invited, and
the embassies of the co-chair countries do not comment on this visit.

Yerkir reports that earlier the Azerbaijani foreign ministry spokesman
Elhan Polukhov said that Baku expects the ch-chairs to inform it
about Yerevan’s position on the Madrid document.