Karel de Gucht, the OSCE chairman-in-office, said in an exclusive interview with Armenpress news agency that during the talks over the resolution of [Armenian-Azerbaijani Trend] Nagorno-Karabakh conflict the sides came closer in 2006 to the resolution of the problems on the base of basic principles.
The last basic principles discussed by the two conflict sides are very wise and good basis for further progress. I believe in possible achievement of an agreement next year, he said.
Mr. Gucht said that 2006 saw many positive milestones in the resolution of lingering' conflicts, particularly, the perspectives for the resolution of Karabakh conflict were more favorable than a year ago, Trend reports.
Talks held in 2006, particularly, direct dialogue between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Minsk on November 28, 2006, brought closer the position of sides on the basic principles of the conflict settlement. The OSCE chairman-in-office voiced his hope that in 2007 the two Presidents will double their efforts to intensify the positions on the said principles.
Mr. Gucht appraised the efforts taken by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, in particular, the development of a document on basic principles' of the conflict resolution.
Spain will undertake the chairmanship at the OSCE from January 1, 2007.