January 27, 2006 - 13:06 AMT
Karel De Gucht and Russian MF Discussed Karabakh Conflict Settlement
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Karel De Gucht met in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During the meeting the parties referred to the Karabakh conflict settlement as well. Karel De Gucht briefed on the meetings he held in Armenia and Azerbaijan and said the desire to settle the problem is observed in both states though the parties disagree on the "territorial issue". To remind, when in Baku the OSCE CiO stated, "If the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia reach agreement the OSCE is ready to assist in deployment of peacekeeping forces in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict region as well as in settlement of other problems including the issue of the Armenian-Turkish border. However before the OSCE starts assisting the conflicting parties certain progress should be achieved in France. I am hopeful for it." In his words the situation will be progressive when the armies are replaced by peacekeeping forces. Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev will meet in the castle of Rambouillet situated 50 km from Paris where French President Jacques Chirac usually holds important meetings with leaders of various states, reported RFE/RL.