BAKU: Armenia Takes “Time Out” In Karabakh Talks – Azeri Minister

ARMENIA TAKES “TIME OUT” IN KARABAKH TALKS – AZERI MINISTER

ANS TV, Baku
5 Sep 05

[Presenter] Official Baku is waiting for a reply from Armenia, which
took time out following the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents’
meeting in Kazan. The format of the talks will be made clear after
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen’s visit to the region.

[Correspondent] Armenia asked for a time to think after official
Baku made its position clear, [Azerbaijani] Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov has said. Mammadyarov said official Yerevan took time
out following the Kazan meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents.

[Mammadyarov, speaking to reporters] The Armenian side has asked for a
time to think. [Armenia said] it needs a time to decide how the talks
should be continued. There are suggestions that the foreign ministers
should meet or the co-chairmen will visit the region [as heard].

[Correspondent] But the format of the next stage of the Karabakh
talks between Baku and Yerevan is still unclear. This will be made
clear after the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen’s visit to the region
in late September and early October.

Mammadyarov also said some suggestions put forward in Kazan satisfied
the interests of official Baku.

[Mammadyarov] In general, you know, Azerbaijan supports some
suggestions put forward in Kazan because it is a stage-by-stage
process. You know, it is early to say something because the talks
are being continued. We think we will achieve a result sooner or
later. Of course, we want this to happen soon.

[Passage omitted: about Armenia’s approach to Karabakh status]