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ANKARA: Karabakh Talks In Moscow Seen As Positive

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  • ANKARA: Karabakh Talks In Moscow Seen As Positive

    KARABAKH TALKS IN MOSCOW SEEN AS POSITIVE

    Hurriyet
    Aug 4 2008
    Turkey

    The foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan struck a positive
    tone and pledged to keep talking about a possible peace deal for the
    frozen conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh after they met for talks in Moscow,
    a Russian newspaper reported on Monday.

    Friday's meeting had proved useful and consultations should be
    continued in a similar format, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward
    Nalbandian was quoted by The Moscow Times.

    Nalbandian added there is a chance of him reconvening with his Azerian
    counterpart at the next U.N. General Assembly session. "There are
    sensitive issues, they should be handled cautiously. We are trying
    to create an adequate environment for negotiations to continue,"
    he was quoted by Interfax news agency.

    "If we feel we have found a common platform, then nothing is
    impossible," Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said.

    The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the outcome of the occupation of
    Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, stands as the principal obstacle to
    the political stability, economic development and regional cooperation
    in the Southern Caucasus. The conflict is also responsible for the
    deplorable situation of the nearly one million refugees and internally
    displaced persons in Azerbaijan.

    Nagorno-Karabakh residents will decide for themselves whether the
    republic will be under Azeri control or be independent, U.S. Assistant
    Secretary of State and co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew
    Bryza said after the meeting.

    A referendum on Nagorno Karabakh's status is possible in 15-20 years,
    Novruz Mammadov, head of the international relations department at
    the Azeri presidential administration said.

    "These processes may become possible only after the return of Azeri
    refugees and displaced persons," he added.

    The Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
    Europe is a body co-headed by Russia, the United States and France
    and appointed to mediate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

    Turkey expressed on Monday it hopes that the parties could reach a
    consensus on the issue, but rejected the proposal for a referendum.

    As a member of the Minsk Group, Turkey considers the Minsk Process as
    a useful mechanism to reach a peaceful, lasting and just settlement
    in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which constitutes the key foreign
    policy issue for Azerbaijan. Turkey believes that the international
    community should actively engage in efforts geared towards creating
    a favorable environment conducive to overcoming the existing stalemate.
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