NEGOTIATION PROCESS ON KARABAKH TO TAKE 3-5 YEARS: ARMAN MELIKYAN

news.am
May 6 2010
Armenia

Azerbaijan seeks to accelerate Karabakh peace process and achieve
outcome it dreams of, and negotiation process goes ahead in accordance
with its wishes, NKR Former Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan told
journalists.

He deems that Azerbaijan’s statements on walk out of the talks amount
to claims on war resumption. "As to withdrawal of Armenian troops from
some Karabakhi territories, it is Azerbaijan’s wish and Armenia should
not respond to it," he said, adding that if Armenia once responds,
it will do so urged by Russia only and not Azerbaijan or Turkey.

"Russia’s objective is to profoundly reestablish in Azerbaijan. From
this viewpoint, part of NKR territories might become a matter of
bargain that Russia will use to strengthen positions in Azerbaijan,"
Melikyan stated.

Melikyan considers that changes in talks’ format are possible, though
it requires new conditions. "Active negotiation process on Karabakh
will take another 3-5 years," he concluded.