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Bernard Fassier: We have never been so close to the advancement in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict

20 September 2008 13:12 (UTC +04:00)

He added that the recent complication of the situation in Georgia also caused damage to both Azerbaijan and Armenia.
â€œNow imagine that how it would have been if the conflict had flared in the territory of these countries,â€ he noted.
Fassier thinks that â€œall in the region should be wiserâ€ after recent happenings.
He hailed the warming relations between Turkey and Armenia as â€œimportant advancesâ€.
In his view, the changes will bring positive flavor to the process.
He also expressed hope for a constructive meeting of FMs of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
â€œIf this meeting is positive, we will seek for a presidential meeting before the year-end after the presidential elections,â€ he added.
Commenting on a statement by US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza that after happenings in Georgia the Minsk Group wouldnâ€™t be able to work as before, Bernard Fassier said the Minsk Group doesnâ€™t consist of the United States alone.
â€œThere are more than 10 countries in this group. Of course, there are difficulties with Russia, but this does not mean that the Minsk Group will discontinue its work,â€ he said.
He pointed to the expected meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian FMs in New York as a sign of the OSCE Minsk Groupâ€™s continuing its work.
He also touched upon Turkey-initiated Peace Platform in the Caucasus, saying the OSCE Minsk Group also includes Turkey.
â€œAnkara is now working to make normal its relations with Yerevan. Turkey always supported peace negotiations. We view Ankaraâ€™s proposal as a new chance. Every step to help the co-chairâ€™s efforts should be welcomed. However, support is other thing and negotiations are another,â€ he no underlined.
Fassier noted that the they have never been so close to the advancement in the settlement of the conflict.
He also explained â€œMadrid Proposalsâ€ are based on three principles from Helsinki Charter.
â€œThese include non-use of force, territorial integrity and self-determination of peoples. The Madrid Proposals include 14 componentsâ€ he underlined.