OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Expect Compromise On Karabakh

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS EXPECT COMPROMISE ON KARABAKH

Interfax News Agency
April 3 2008
Russia

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen released a statement on Thursday
following meetings with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia on
the sidelines of the NATO summit in Bucharest.

"The two leaders and the Co-Chairs exchanged views on ways to reduce
differences between the sides and forge consensus on the Basic
Principles for the Peaceful Settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh (NK)

Conflict," said the statement posted on the OSCE’s website.

"The Co-Chairs reiterated their support for the territorial integrity
of Azerbaijan and reaffirmed their longstanding view that a peaceful
resolution of the conflict will require a negotiated political
compromise on the final status of NK, pending the future approval of
its population," the statement said.

"The two leaders and the Co-Chairs agreed to continue the negotiations
on the existing basis, further clarify the current proposal on the
table, and pursue additional steps to advance the peace process,
" the document said.

"For this purpose the mediators underscored the utility of meetings
at the highest levels between the sides, " it said.