Matthew Bryza visits Yerevan and Khankendi

He said the meeting of the US diplomat with Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan is scheduled for September 13.

On the same day, Bryza left for the self-declared "Nagorno Karabakh", where he was received by head of separatists Bako Saakyan.

During the meeting the sides discussed issues of the current stage and prospects of the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as the recent events in the region.

The head of separatists mentioned that official Khankendi supports the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict with Karabakh's direct participation in the negotiation process.

Saakyan said that the format of the OSCE Minsk Group has not exhausted and it is now early to speak of any changes in this format.

As regards the events, ongoing in the region, "the president" of the so-called "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" noted that the disputable questions should be settled only peacefully by way of direct talks. Bako Saakyan stressed importance of the recent steps, aimed at establishing relations between Armenia and Turkey, noting that even the most complicated problems could be settled by way of a direct dialogue.

Bryza, in turn, commented on the meeting of Presidents of Armenia and Turkey Serzh Sargsyan and Abdullah Gul, held on September 6.

"Serzh Sargsyan and Abdullah Gul undertook a great political risk and demonstrated courage", said Bryza.

He noted that Turkey's initiative of creating a platform in the South Caucasus is constructive. "I welcome the improvement of relations between Armenia and Turkey", said Bryza.

The US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group stressed the need to complete work on the basic principles of resolution though the relations between Armenia and Turkey are changing.

"It is good that the relations between Armenia and Turkey are improving, for, I think, such openness betters the climate, which means that Armenia can be more open in talks. Perhaps, I am mistaken, but I hope so", Bryza said.

He noted however: "I do not want Baku to consider that the situation has changed so much that there is a need for any actions, which may affect the improving climate".

/PanARMENIAN.Net, Novosti-Armenia, ArmInfo/