July 8, 2011 - 22:13 AMT
Armenian delegation prevents introduction of Azeri amendments in OSCE PA draft resolution

Azerbaijani and Turkish delegations failed in their attempt to introduce amendments on Karabakh conflict-related terminology in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly draft resolution.

As the head of the Armenian delegation to OSCE PA Aram Safaryan told a news conference in Yerevan, at Belgrade-hosted OSCE PA session, representatives of Turkey and Azerbaijan suggested to introduce amendments to a draft resolution titled Strengthening the OSCE's Effectiveness and Efficiency - A New Start after the Astana Summit.

The amendments suggested replacement of “Nagorno Karabakh conflict” term by that of “the conflict around Nagorno Karabakh of Azerbaijani Republic”.

At the session, Safaryan voiced his strong opposition, nothing that the amendments run counter to Minsk process, terminology and agreements used in reference to Karabakh settlement. As Safaryan further stressed, the term “Nagono Karabakh conflict” is used in all documents adopted in OSCE framework; an attempt at altering the terminology would be a destructive step.

Upon hearing the arguments of both Armenian and Azerbaijani sides, the author of the draft project Tonino Picula spoke against Azeri amendments, which were not adopted.

Representatives of Georgia, Belarus and Moldavia were the only ones to vote for Azeri amendments, while representatives of 37 countries supported Pucula’s suggestion.

Pucula’s draft resolution will be put to vote on Sunday. As Safaryan stressed, the result was made possible through the efforts of the Armenian delegation and Armenian Ambassador to OSCE Ashot Hovakimyan.