Matthew Bryza: "The status quo in the Karabakh resolution is a dangerous state"

- Do the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs expect the preservation of the succession in the negotiation process on Karabakh following completion of the year of the presidential elections in Azerbaijan and Armenia or there is a threat of starting everything anew?

- Yes, we intend to start talks from the moment, we stopped before the presidential elections in Armenia.

- Do you still hope for possible breakthrough in the negotiation process, though this time this the President of Azerbaijan will be busy in holding the election campaign in the coming months?

- It is hard to say. Yes, the election campaign is starting in Azerbaijan. President Aliyev will hold an active campaign, visit the regions of the country. On the other hand, his first meeting with new Armenian President Serzh Sarkissyan will take place in Saint Petersburg this Friday, which means that there is a possibility for holding the talks.

Democracy and election process is the most important in Azerbaijan and, of course, the head of state should spend much time on holding the election campaign.

Therefore, it is difficult to answer your question. Anyway, I think the Foreign Ministers will have no problems in meeting and presidents may meet from time to time.

- What do you expect from the upcoming meeting of the presidents this Friday? Can the meeting of acquaintance pave the way for the breakthrough in the negotiation process?

- Yes, this will be purely an acquaintance meeting and I do not expect anything else from it. A person should know his vis-a-vis, with whom he will have to negotiate.

- Do you think it is will possible to attain more in the Aliyev-Sakissyan format than in Aliyev-Kocharyan's?

- It is impossible to answer this question in advance as the question is different people, which are, by the way, are very strong leaders. I think I will be able to answer this question after Friday.

- Are the proposals, presented to the sides in Madrid, still on the negotiation table and are they approved by the sides?

- This is not the main point. This was just a simple moment in the negotiation process. Being the co-chairs, we had listened to the opinion of both sides within a year and decided to put everything we have heard down and propose a compromise on this bases. There were moments in this compromise, which were unacceptable both for Azerbaijan and Armenia, but this is natural. It is necessary to continue the negotiation process and find common grounds.

- Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Sadikhov said during our recent talk that the attempt of the world society to replace the norms of international law with status quo, attained by way of war, carries nothing positive. What do you think about the non-acceptance of the compromises in the resolution of the Karabakh problem by Azerbaijani side?

- I think the status quo is a dangerous state. This is evident when there is a fire exchange, killing people. As for the victim, it is hard to say anything. Both sides are victims and these sides should find common grounds and should come to an agreement, which implies search of compromise.

I can only say that peaceful contract is not possible withour concessions. I do not say that only Azerbaijan will have to make concessions, Armenia should also do it. Compromise is impossible without it. But this question depends on the conflict parties not on the co-chairs.

- What you think is necessary for attainment of a mutually acceptable agreement, along with compromises?

- There are talks, political will, common sense. This means that the Presidents should create the atmosphere of trust between each other. We will see whether it would be possible. But I can say for myself that I will do everything possible to encourage the process.

/Day.Az/