Matthew Bryza comments on details of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement talks

He said that he respects Azerbaijan's position but being a mediator he can not support any of the parties, APA reports.

"The initial variant of the report noted that Nagorno Karabakh is under Armenia's occupation. This is Azerbaijan's position. We understand and respect this position. But as mediators we can not support any of the parties. Armenian position is that they have not occupied Nagorno Karabakh. The amendment made to the report does not mean to support one of the parties. We only stated that Armenian government says they have not occupied Nagorno Karabakh," he said.

Noting that the current stage of negotiations is promising, Matthew Bryza underlined that the main topic of discussion is connected with the status of Nagorno Karabakh.

"If our position is a little closer to the position of one of the sides, we might cast shadow on the results of the negotiations. The negotiations are being held between the parties to the conflict, and the US is just a mediator," Bryza said.

Commenting on the current state of negotiations, Matthew Bryza said that the process is close to reach an agreement on the basis of basic principles proposed by the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs last year.

"These principles will be the formal essence of agreement. We hope if the presidents reach an agreement on the basic principles soon, it will be followed by intensive stage of negotiations when the final peace treaty will be debated. In other words, basic principles are the main terms of these negotiations. These main principles envisage withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the five regions adjacent to Nagorno Karabakh, returning them to Azerbaijan, deploying peacekeepers and brining IDPs back to their original places. The negotiations on the conditions of releasing of Kalbajar and Lachin still continue. We are close to the agreement on this issue. The principles also cover providing corridor uniting Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia that will be used for trade and civil purposes. Following this, the status of Nagorno Karabakh will be determined by negotiations and referendum. Azerbaijan is against using the word referendum, as it contradicts the country's constitution. Therefore, we continue negotiations for holding elections," he said.