Mann: 2005 Not Dramatic for Karabakh Conflict Settlement

PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chair Steven Mann says the year of 2005 was not dramatic for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. "The Prague process followed the right direction," he said. The U.S. diplomat reiterated that the absence of elections in Azerbaijan and Armenia is one of the principal factors contributing to the possible resolution of the problem. "In 2002-2003 the Presidents could not focus on the problem. In 2006 political situation in Azerbaijan and Armenia will be quiet in this context," he added. When touching upon the possible development of the settlement process, Mr. Mann noted that the mediators are discussing the place and date of the Presidents' meeting. "Before it the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers will hold a meeting with the participation of the mediators. The meeting of the Presidents is likely to be held in January 2006. The agenda includes plenty of issues however I suppose we can achieve considerable progress," he said. In his words, the influence of the Armenian and Azerbaijani societies will be obvious for the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, RFE/RL reported.