Yuriy Merzlyakov, the OCSE Russian Co-Chairman, has exclusively told Trend that the next meeting between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia is likely not to take place until the parliamentary elections are held in Armenia. The Russian diplomat made this statement expressing his opinion to the recently-spread statements that the Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful negotiations could real be speed up only after Armenian holds its parliamentary elections.
I think that these statements are most likely connected with the fact that the next meeting between the two Presidents could not be organized until the parliamentary elections are held in Armenia. You know that no agreements can be reached without the participation of the Presidents. As for the meeting between the two Presidents, I think that it is likely not to be held until Armenia holds its elections. That is all, said Mr. Merzlyakov.
The Russian diplomat disagree with the opinion of his American colleague on the OSCE Minsk Group, Matthew Bryza concerning the fact that the key elements on the Nagorno-Karabakh resolution had been agreed less technical details. I can call them technical ones. They are not only technical ones, said Mr. Merzlyakov. According to him, the previous commentary of Elmar Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister is more correct. Notably, Mr. Mammadyarov has stated that there had been 1-2 substantial left to be finally agreed.
The OSCE Russian Co-Chairman said that the OSCE Minsk Group's Co-Chairs wanted to organize a next meeting between the Foreign Minister of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the beginning of March, 2007. We are occupied with this issue. However, there has not been a final agreement yet. We want it take place not later than March, 2007, said Mr. Merzlyakov. At the same time, he considers that the next consultations of all the three Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group to be held in Paris the next week is likely not take place. Speaking about the fact that the OSCE American Co-Chairman, also occupied with oil and gas issues in the Caspian region, would participate in the Paris energy conference, Mr. Merzlyakov did not rule out that Mr. Bryza would met his French colleague on the OSCE Minsk Group, Bernard Fassier.