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OSCE MG CO-CHAIRMAN: AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA CLOSER TO AGREEMENT THAN THEY THINK
Trend
March 21 2012
Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan are "probably closer to an agreement than they
think" in the longstanding dispute over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,
U.S. Ambassador Robert Bradtke said in an interview with Radio Free
Europe / Radio Liberty in connection with the 20th anniversary of
establishing the OSCE Minsk Group.
Bradtke said the group has helped the sides move closer to agreeing
basic principles for solving the conflict, but that their mistrust
and lack of cooperation have impeded progress.
"I think the Minsk Group has made three important things," he added.
"First of all, it has become a factor of stability. This has helped
to defuse the tension."
He said it has helped prevent the outbreak of a new war. Secondly,
the Minsk Group created an opportunity for the conflicting parties
to communicate.
Another success of the Minsk Group is the development of a common
basis for the negotiations. "Both parties understand what the main
points of the settlement should be," Bradtke said.
One of the vital lessons of the Minsk Group is the importance of the
international community assisting both sides.
"I think this is a very important lesson," he said. "We closely
cooperate with the U.S, France and Russia to work with the parties
of this conflict."
However, whilst co-chairmen can present ideas and support, the
conflicting parties themselves must take very difficult decisions.
"I do not think the inability to reach a peace agreement in the format
of the Minsk Group or co-chairmen is a problem." he added. "Very
difficult issues are the main problem. The differences between the
sides are very great and frankly speaking, there is mistrust. Changing
the format will not change this."
He underlined the fact that dialogue between people is very important
in the negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Human contact does not work if they are used by the parties to achieve
political goals, or become politicised, he said.
"In our opinion, the status quo is unacceptable." he added. "We must
make progress in resolving this conflict. We cannot look back in 20
years and see the same situation that we have today."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. -
are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
From: Baghdasarian
Trend
March 21 2012
Azerbaijan
Armenia and Azerbaijan are "probably closer to an agreement than they
think" in the longstanding dispute over the status of Nagorno-Karabakh,
U.S. Ambassador Robert Bradtke said in an interview with Radio Free
Europe / Radio Liberty in connection with the 20th anniversary of
establishing the OSCE Minsk Group.
Bradtke said the group has helped the sides move closer to agreeing
basic principles for solving the conflict, but that their mistrust
and lack of cooperation have impeded progress.
"I think the Minsk Group has made three important things," he added.
"First of all, it has become a factor of stability. This has helped
to defuse the tension."
He said it has helped prevent the outbreak of a new war. Secondly,
the Minsk Group created an opportunity for the conflicting parties
to communicate.
Another success of the Minsk Group is the development of a common
basis for the negotiations. "Both parties understand what the main
points of the settlement should be," Bradtke said.
One of the vital lessons of the Minsk Group is the importance of the
international community assisting both sides.
"I think this is a very important lesson," he said. "We closely
cooperate with the U.S, France and Russia to work with the parties
of this conflict."
However, whilst co-chairmen can present ideas and support, the
conflicting parties themselves must take very difficult decisions.
"I do not think the inability to reach a peace agreement in the format
of the Minsk Group or co-chairmen is a problem." he added. "Very
difficult issues are the main problem. The differences between the
sides are very great and frankly speaking, there is mistrust. Changing
the format will not change this."
He underlined the fact that dialogue between people is very important
in the negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Human contact does not work if they are used by the parties to achieve
political goals, or become politicised, he said.
"In our opinion, the status quo is unacceptable." he added. "We must
make progress in resolving this conflict. We cannot look back in 20
years and see the same situation that we have today."
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. -
are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
From: Baghdasarian