Mediation in Karabakh settlement is a complicated task, with conflicting parties often refusing to agree to mediators’ proposals, according to outgoing French co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group.

At news conference in Baku, Bernard Fassier noted the reviewed Madrid Principles as a positive factor in Karabakh settlement talks, also characterizing a possibility for co-chair’s visit to Karabakh as a sign of progress.

“Unfortunately, Kazan-hosted meeting between the presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia didn’t justify itself. Still, we must be optimistic and hope for progress in Karabakh settlement talks,” the outgoing co-chair concluded.

At June 24 meeting in Kazan, the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia failed to sign an agreement on basic principles of Karabakh conflict settlement. As Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian noted later, despite the OSCE MG co-chairs’ efforts, Azerbaijan was not ready to accept the final version of basic principles, presenting ten new amendments at the last moment.