April 29, 2005 - 12:50 AMT
MAMEDYAROV: THERE ARE FORCES NOT INTERESTED IN KARABAKH PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT
Some details of the meeting of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the Azeri FM Elmar Mamedyarov became known yesterday, Echo daily reported. The parties focused at the frequent cease-fire violations, release of the three Azeri POWs and details of the Karabakh conflict peaceful settlement. However E. Mamedyarov did not satisfy journalists' curiosity on the last issue. In his opinion, making the detail public can destabilize situation in the region. Upon completion of the talks the Azerbaijani FM told journalists that "the discussions showed some development but there are still certain discrepancies in the positions of the parties." Stressing the necessity of the soonest release of the Azeri prisoners of war and refraining from any comments on the settlement process details Elmar Mamedyarov said, "There are some forces in the region, which are not interested in the peaceful settlement of the conflict and they can use the information to worsen the situation." The Minister did not touch upon the possible date of the Armenian and Azeri Presidents either. Immediately after the Frankfurt negotiations Elmar Mamedyarov departed for Chile to take part in the International Conference of the Organization of American States dedicated to democracy development. During the conference the Azeri FM is expected to give a report on Nagorno Karabakh. It should be noted that yesterday the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that OSCE MG Russian Co-ChairYuri Merzlyakov is expected to return on May 3. Thus, it is not ruled out that negotiations between the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian will be held in Europe within next several days.