Bernard Fassier: "My visit to Nagorno Karabakh was coordinated with two other co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group"

The French mediator noted that he discussed with the head of the Karabakh "state" the situation in the region, established following the August events in South Ossetia, their influence on the negotiation process, opportunities for additional steps in the resolution of the conflict.

According to Fassier, it was noted during the meeting that the conflict can not be settled by force.

Asked why the co-chairs visit the conflict sides in separate, the French mediator said: "It is not my first visit alone. If we could, we would come together. Our schedules are busy and they did not coincide. But we do hope that we will be able to be in New York to arrange the meeting between the ministers", said Bernard Fassier, noting that he had thoroughly coordinated the said visit to Nagorno Karabakh with Matthew Bryza and Yuri Merzlyakov.

At the same time, Fassier voiced hope that he will be able to meet Matthew Bryza in Baku.

"I think I will arrive in Baku several hours before his departure and, perhaps, we will have time to meet and I also hope to meet with Yuri Merzlyakov before New York", said Bernard Fassier, recommending to the journalists not to "search for artificial obstacles", as the co-chairs "already have real ones".

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