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ITAR-TASS, Russia
March 16, 2012 Friday 04:09 PM GMT+4
Karabakh status quo cannot be long - German FM
YEREVAN March 16
The German foreign minister believes that that "the status quo around
Nagorno-Karabakh cannot exist for long." Guido Westerwelle made this
statement on Friday in Yerevan where he arrived on a working visit
within the framework of a tour of the region.
"Germany promotes in the region the settlement of conflicts that
hinder its development," the minister stressed. "So, it is necessary
to look for a solution to this problem within the OSCE Minsk Group (on
Nagorno-Karabakh)," he said.
"The German government calls for the restoration of a balance between
territorial integrity and the self-determination principle,"
Westerwelle said. "A peaceful solution is the only thing which we
strive to achieve," he stressed.
"Unresolved conflicts in the South Caucasus hamper prosperous and
peaceful development of the whole region," the minister said in an
interview with the Armenpress state news agency published here on
Friday. "The status quo cannot have a prolonged status."
"We need currently need compromise rather than confrontation," the
minister continued. "Courageous steps and the formation of mutual
trust are needed," said the German foreign minister.
Today, "the conflict's peaceful settlement is the priority," he
continued. "In this regard Germany as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group
provides assistance to the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh chairs
from France, the United States and Russia in their mediation efforts."
"Simultaneously, we have worked successfully for more active
participation of the European Union (in this settlement)," Westerwelle
recalled. According to him, the conclusions expressed in late February
by the EU foreign policy council and the mandate of the EU new Special
Representative for South Caucasus can serve as "a good basis in this
matter."
"The European Union's more active role should be included into the
framework of the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group," said the minister
who thinks "first of all about the importance of the mutual confidence
building steps."
"The recognition of Kosovo and South Sudan by Germany cannot be a
precedent for other international recognitions, each case is unique."
"As for Nagorno-Karabakh, the federal government (of Germany) assists
the efforts to attain the goals of the negotiations conducted by the
Minsk Group," Westerwelle said. According to him, their aim is "to
strike a balance between international principles of territorial
integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination."
March 16, 2012 Friday 04:09 PM GMT+4
Karabakh status quo cannot be long - German FM
YEREVAN March 16
The German foreign minister believes that that "the status quo around
Nagorno-Karabakh cannot exist for long." Guido Westerwelle made this
statement on Friday in Yerevan where he arrived on a working visit
within the framework of a tour of the region.
"Germany promotes in the region the settlement of conflicts that
hinder its development," the minister stressed. "So, it is necessary
to look for a solution to this problem within the OSCE Minsk Group (on
Nagorno-Karabakh)," he said.
"The German government calls for the restoration of a balance between
territorial integrity and the self-determination principle,"
Westerwelle said. "A peaceful solution is the only thing which we
strive to achieve," he stressed.
"Unresolved conflicts in the South Caucasus hamper prosperous and
peaceful development of the whole region," the minister said in an
interview with the Armenpress state news agency published here on
Friday. "The status quo cannot have a prolonged status."
"We need currently need compromise rather than confrontation," the
minister continued. "Courageous steps and the formation of mutual
trust are needed," said the German foreign minister.
Today, "the conflict's peaceful settlement is the priority," he
continued. "In this regard Germany as a member of the OSCE Minsk Group
provides assistance to the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno-Karabakh chairs
from France, the United States and Russia in their mediation efforts."
"Simultaneously, we have worked successfully for more active
participation of the European Union (in this settlement)," Westerwelle
recalled. According to him, the conclusions expressed in late February
by the EU foreign policy council and the mandate of the EU new Special
Representative for South Caucasus can serve as "a good basis in this
matter."
"The European Union's more active role should be included into the
framework of the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group," said the minister
who thinks "first of all about the importance of the mutual confidence
building steps."
"The recognition of Kosovo and South Sudan by Germany cannot be a
precedent for other international recognitions, each case is unique."
"As for Nagorno-Karabakh, the federal government (of Germany) assists
the efforts to attain the goals of the negotiations conducted by the
Minsk Group," Westerwelle said. According to him, their aim is "to
strike a balance between international principles of territorial
integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination."