March 27, 2008 - 13:25 AMT
Azerbaijan inquiring about OSCE MG mediators recall or replacement
Azerbaijan has sent an inquiry to the OSCE Secretariat for recall or replacement of the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group dealing with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said.

"The MG Co-chairs were appointed during the Budapest summit in 1994. Their tasks are clear. However, if a party is discontent with the activities of any of the Co-chairs, it can launch a procedure of recall. We are deeply concerned that all of the three Co-chairs make hostile statements as regards Azerbaijan. They defame our country and oppose its territorial integrity," Azimov said.

Azerbaijan doesn't have an intention to change the Minsk Group format, according to him. "These rumors are circulated by Armenia and mediators," he said.

"The Co-chairs represent their own countries but not the entire Minsk Group. Thereupon, they are not empowered to make statements on behalf on the MG," he said.

Azimov said Azerbaijan keeps up cooperation with the co-chair states. "However, we have sent an inquiry to the OSCE Secretariat about recall or replacement of the mediators. We would like to know whether we can do it, for Azerbaijan is also a member of the Minsk Group," he said, Bakililar.AZ reports.