PHILIPPE LEFORT: IT IS NECESSARY TO ASSIST THE ACTIVITY OF THE MINSK GROUP

ARMENPRESS
June 14, 2011
YEREVAN

The Deauville statement of the leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group
countries warns to restrain from the usage of force and urges the
parties to sign an agreement over Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
principles, the Head of the Continental Europe Department of the
French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Philippe Lefort told
Armenpress, in response to the question about possible impact of the
Deauville statement on the settlement of the conflict. “We really
want this call to be heard and parties to start main negotiations
over the NK conflict settlement. The coming summit in Kazan provides
such opportunity. We hope that it [opportunity] will not be lost”,
the French top official pointed out.

In response to the question about the talks on replacing France in
the Minsk Group with the EU, Philippe Lefort said the Minsk Group
co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France is actively working
toward finding solution to the conflict.

He said the Minsk Group managed to win the trust of the parties and
does not spare an effort for finding solution. “We must give credit
to their mission and continue it, like the EU does, and assist its
activity”, the diplomat said.