VARTAN OSKANIAN EVALUATES FRAME AGREEMENT PROPOSED BY OSCE MG CO-CHAIRS
AS ALL-EMBRACING AND BALANCED
YEREVAN, JULY 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. "I do not perceive
the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs as a statement aimed
at ceasing the Minsk process," RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
declared at the July 11 press conference. As he affirmed, in their
statement the Co-chairs "want to say that the document proposed by them
is a balanced synthesis of everything done over the past two years."
In the Minister’s opinion, if the sides start to conduct the process on
the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in this direction, it
is possible that new opportunities will be created in the negotiations
process.
Vartan Oskanian again confirmed the position of the Armenian
side on the frame agreement proposed by the Co-chairs. "This
is really an all-embracing, balanced document envisaging right
mutual concessions. Of course, it is not ideal for any side, but is
acceptable for all sides that want to solve the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict through a compromise. So, we really want Azerbaijan to
return to reconsideration of this document," the Armenian Foreign
Minister declared.
According to him, there is no contact with Azerbaijan at present. He
informed that the American Co-chairman is to pay a visit to the region
soon, which will become a reason for establishing some contacts and
planning the next steps. At the same time, he found it difficult to
say, whether the American side will assume the initiative to organize
the next meeting of the Presidents.
As for the developments connected with the EU New Neighborhood program
and, in particular, discussion of the Actions Plan proposed by Armenia,
Vartan Oskanian informed that Finland currently presiding in the
EU expressed interest in the quick solution of issues connected
with the Actions Plan within two months. The Ambassador of Finland
accredited in Armenia will arrive in Yerevan on July 22 for clarifying
a number of issues connected with Armenia’s participation in the New
Neighborhood program.