September 20, 2007 - 19:55 AMT
NATO rates OSCE MG recent proposals as promising
"NATO doesn't immediately participate in resolution of conflicts in the South Caucasus. However, we closely watch the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement," said Mr Robert Simmons, NATO's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia.

NATO rates OSCE MG's recent proposals as promising, according to him.

"We are hopeful that the political leadership of the two states will proceed with the dialogue. Both sides understand that losses are inevitable. We encourage the activities aimed at success," he said.

"The sides understand inadmissibility of use of force, since it will have deplorable consequences. If the sides in the Karabakh conflict arrive at a peaceful agreement and request NATO's assistance, the Alliance can be a peacekeeper," Mr Simmons said. He welcomed the OSCE MG's proposals which suppose return of a part of security zone around NKR with a following referendum on Karabakh's status, Zerkalo (Mirror) Baku-based newspaper reports.