MATTHEW BRYZA: "THE KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL BE SETTLED SOON. I HOPE IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT YEAR"
Today.Az
tics/49001.html
Nov 14 2008
Azerbaijan
Day.Az interview with OSCE Minsk group co-chair from the United States
Matthew Bryza.
– After the recent war in Georgia you said that it will influence the
settlement of the Karabakh conflict in the sense that some differences
must be settled with Russia. Have these differences been settled?
– I think yes, President Medvedev, I think, has showed that he can
play and has already played a positive role. On the other hand,
Russia fulfills, though not completely, these functions, signed
by Presidents Medvedev and Sarkozy. It means that the situation is
improving related to relations between Georgia and Russia but they
are still bad. However, President Medvedev has already made his
positive contribution.
– Have the prospects of the Karabakh conflict settlement improved,
considering the recent events?
– I think they have improved as all parties are aware that the conflict
should be settled and that this conflict requires attention. It should
be settled and there is a potential for that. And I feel there is a
good environment between the Presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan. This
also depends on the extent the two leaders feel trust and respect
towards each others. This is normal and this is an issue of relations
between people.
– When is the next meeting of Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia
expected? Can it occur by the end of this year?
– We do not know. This is possible, but I think that this will
happen in early next year. But, I would repeat that we do not know,
as this issue depends on my current visit. I will fly directly to
Yerevan today. Let’s see the reaction of President Sargsyan. Then
tomorrow I will be in Khankendi and we will be holding talks there. If
everything is normal, the meeting will also be held between the Foreign
Ministers. The meeting between presidents will take place in case of
positive results.
– Is it possible to state in connection with the completion of
elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan that favorable perspectives have
been created for the conflict settlement in the next five years?
– Yeah, I even hope that it will happen next year.