Armenian, Azeri leaders discuss Karabakh in Warsaw

Armenian, Azeri leaders discuss Karabakh in Warsaw

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
28 Apr 04

[Presenter] A second meeting between [Armenian President] Robert
Kocharyan and [Azerbaijani President] Ilham Aliyev is under way within
the framework of the European economic summit in Warsaw at the
moment. The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents discussed the Karabakh
conflict with the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group in
attendance. Then the leaders held a face-to-face meeting.

[Correspondent over telephone] Presidents Robert Kocharyan and Ilham
Aliyev have met in Warsaw with the mediation of the OSCE Minks Group
co-chairmen within the framework of the European economic summit. The
first meeting was held last December in Geneva. This is a one-to-one
meeting between the presidents, which, as President Kocharyan
announced in Paris, can be decisive in continuing discussions on the
Karabakh conflict settlement. At present, Robert Kocharyan and Ilham
Aliyev are continuing the talks they started an hour ago.

The newly-appointed Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
noted in an interview with “Aylur” [news programme] that they expect a
lot from the presidents’ meeting. Mammadyarov said that a certain
foundation had already been laid for the negotiations on the basis of
which the peaceful settlement of the conflict will be
continued. Mammadyarov did not confirm whether the Azerbaijani side
wants to start the negotiations from scratch, but to according to
official Baku, it is necessary to discuss ways of getting the
situation out of deadlock as soon as possible.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists, who are covering the meeting
between the two countries’ leaders, said that the presidents will
present details after the negotiations.