FRENCH SENATOR: OSCE MG PLAYS ARBITER ROLE IN KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

PanARMENIAN.Net - «The French Senate does its best to improve relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. OSCE Minsk Group co-chair states are not a deciding factor in settlement of the problem. The co-chairs play merely an arbiter role in the issue. We just control the course of talks. The issue can be solved on the will of peoples,» stated head of the French-Azeri friendship interparliamentary group Ambroise Dupont at a meeting with journalists yesterday. In his opinion, settlement of the Karabakh conflict is an utterly difficult task. He evaluated the continuation of the talks over settlement of the conflict on the initiative of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs as a positive fact. In his words, the continuation of the talks between the Armenian and Azeri Presidents and FMs should be appreciated. Mr. Dupont noted that the importance of the Caucasus and the countries located here is increasingly growing. «Thus, the countries themselves should be interested in securing peace in the region and resolution of conflicts,» he remarked. Though the French Senator named preference to the peaceful resolution of the problem as an important condition, he avoided answering a question whether France will support a settlement within the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. He said, «I cannot say for sure which state the talks with the MG are at. The process is between the countries. I want to say France is very much interested in resolution of the conflict.» Touching upon earlier reports that the discussion of the Karabakh issue was scheduled and then postponed at the French Senate, A. Dupont said this was not planned at all. The guest noted that as the talks are held between the FMs and Presidents with participation of the FM co-chairs, other structures do not interfere with the settlement of the problem. «However, you know it yourself that peoples' will can do much. I suppose that the historical ties between Azeris and Armenians will lead to a solution of the conflict,» the Senator said, noting the President of the French Senate holds regular talks with Speakers of the Azeri, Georgian and Armenian Parliaments. «The President of the Senate of France told us that Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia can cooperate in tourism and protection of cultural heritage,» Dupont added. «If we do not manage to attain any development, we will not be able to settle the conflict. Efforts should be made to that end. I want to say that the MG progresses and the peaceful resolution of the conflict is very important at present,» the Senator underscored.