Armenia's recognition of Karabakh independence won't leave space for continuation of negotiations

PanARMENIAN.Net - I think any move that prejudges the outcome of the negotiations on Nagorno Karabakh conflict that are underway and that are achieving some real results in terms of moving closer to finalizing the basic principles would be unhelpful. OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair Matthew Bryza said.



"We looked at the UN GA resolution of Azerbaijan in that very light: that it was a one-sided resolution that did not reflect the fair and balanced nature of the proposal on the table. Similarly, if the Armenian side were to move unilaterally and prejudge the outcome of the negotiations by recognizing Nagorno Karabakh, that would be something that is very seriously undermining the peace process. I think that would be a highly asymmetric response to Azerbaijan's move at the UN GA and potentially a highly destabilizing move. It would mean to decide that this is the end of the negotiating process and we have unilaterally declared that the conflict is resolved in this way. I do not know how that would leave space for the continuation of negotiations. We need to maintain the give and take that aims to achieve this fair and balanced compromise which is absolutely within reach right now and requires a little bit more work to reach a compromise. U.S. aid to Armenia won't be affected if positive trends continue," he told The Armenian Reporter.