Matt Bryza: progress in Karabakh process not expected in near future
The Kosovo resolution is not universal for the settlement of other conflicts, specifically in the CIS space, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Mattew Bryza told reporters in Yerevan.
Each conflict is unique and it would be wrong to draw parallels between them, according to him.
"I think the Russian leadership would not agree on immediate proclamation of Kosovo's independence. The aim of the U.S. foreign policy is to achieve a compromise via talks. It refers to the Kosovo problem as well. However, I should mention that presently Nagorno Karabakh is closer to the Helsinki agreements and is more ready for negotiations than the other unrecognized republics in the CIS. I also think that a group of mediators similar to the OSCE MG should be formed for the resolution of the conflict in Abkhazia," he said.
He also mentioned that decision on Kosovo cannot predetermine priority between the territorial integrity of a state and the right of nations to self-determination. "The issue of territorial integrity should be approached with big cautiousness," Mr Bryza noted adding that progress in the Karabakh process is not expected in the near future.
"The forthcoming presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot have a constructive impact. What I said doesn't mean that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be resolved soon. The recent meeting of Kocharian and Aliyev has proven this," he said. Some new details will be discussed during the August 2 meeting of the OSCE MG Co-chairs in Moscow, he added.
Each conflict is unique and it would be wrong to draw parallels between them, according to him.
"I think the Russian leadership would not agree on immediate proclamation of Kosovo's independence. The aim of the U.S. foreign policy is to achieve a compromise via talks. It refers to the Kosovo problem as well. However, I should mention that presently Nagorno Karabakh is closer to the Helsinki agreements and is more ready for negotiations than the other unrecognized republics in the CIS. I also think that a group of mediators similar to the OSCE MG should be formed for the resolution of the conflict in Abkhazia," he said.
He also mentioned that decision on Kosovo cannot predetermine priority between the territorial integrity of a state and the right of nations to self-determination. "The issue of territorial integrity should be approached with big cautiousness," Mr Bryza noted adding that progress in the Karabakh process is not expected in the near future.
"The forthcoming presidential elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot have a constructive impact. What I said doesn't mean that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict can be resolved soon. The recent meeting of Kocharian and Aliyev has proven this," he said. Some new details will be discussed during the August 2 meeting of the OSCE MG Co-chairs in Moscow, he added.
