June 13, 2007 - 16:59 AMT
Expert: Determination of Karabakh's status may take some 10 years
The Saint Petersburg meeting of Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan was an advance in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, deputy director and fellow of Russia and Eurasia Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Cory Welt told a news conference in Yerevan.

"Determination of the status of Nagorno Karabakh may take some 10 years. So, Armenia and Azerbaijan can lead a quiet life. To be honest, we hoped that the sides will come to an agreement, but in vain. I suppose alternative ways of settlement should be sought for," the U.S. expert said.

Mr Welt underscored that use of force in Karabakh conflict should be prevented by all means. "We should search for a political compromise. However neither of the sides is ready for it," he said.