Azeri media reports that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, Amb. Yuri Merzlyakov of Russia and Amb. Bernard Fassier of France made sensational statements during a news conference in Baku.

APA news agency quotes Amb. Merzlyakov saying "we recognize Nagorno Karabakh as a part of Azerbaijan."

Amb. Fassier allegedly said, "We should decide what to do first of all. I think 7 regions should be released first, then the issues immediately referring to Karabakh should be discussed. Each state should observe territorial integrity of the other. The principle of self-determination should also be observed. The problem is to unite and consider these principles fairly. If there is a possibility for your country [Azerbaijan] to return these regions, it should be the first step."

However, when in Yerevan, the mediators did not make statements of the kind. "If the fundamental principles are approved by the Presidents in Saint Petersburg we will work for a final agreement in the conflict settlement," Yuri Merzlyakov said. As usual, the details were not announced.

For his part, Bernard Fassier said that participation of Nagorno Karabakh's representative in the talks is a necessity. "War cannot be a solution to the Nagorno Karabakh problem. It's an axiom," he added.

There remains nothing but guess at honesty of the Azeri media.

Meanwhile, Yuri Merzlyakov refrained from responding to Azeri reporters' questions upon arrival in Baku.