“I do not think the Prague process is exhausted. There is still hope and possibility for achieving agreements but there is little time,” Steven Mann, the U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement stated. When commenting on the presidential talks in Rambouillet the American diplomat said both parties achieved considerable progress but there are still a number of serious unsettled issues. “We hoped the Rambouillet meeting will fill in the gaps. However this didn’t happen and we are sorry about it,” he said. In his words, both parties to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict are represented by serious and resolute people. “I am hopeful will move forward during the period of time fixed for us. By the end of the year both parties will enter a political season. Parliamentary election is expected in Armenia; Azerbaijan is awaiting presidential election. Dealing with domestic debates the governments cannot advance in the negotiation process. That is why the Co-chairs believe the agreement should be achieved now,” Mann said adding that if agreement in not achieved in 2006 the parties will need several more years.
When touching upon the forthcoming meeting of the Co-chairs in Washington Steven Mann noted, “This meeting will allow to thoroughly analyze the Rambouillet outcomes and mark the further steps.” The U.S. diplomat also pointed out to the necessity of concessions. “I think we are at a stage that demands the will to be demonstrated not only by ministers but by the peoples themselves,” Mr. Mann said, reported ArerTage.
ԻմPANը
