There are reasonable hopes Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be resolved until end of year: French co-chair

Fassier compared resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with a house building and added that first bricks of the house have already been laid.

"We could put some bricks of the house during recent meetings in Baku and Yerevan. We are not in the stage to put a roof yet. However, there are reasonable hopes to achieve serious and concrete progress until end of the year," Fassier told reporters in Baku before leaving for Yerevan on April 25. 

OSCE Minks Group co-chairs discussed resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with foreign minister and president of Azerbaijan during the next visit to the country.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding peace negotiations.

Fassier said progress in this process depends on numerous factors.

"It does not always depend on us. It also depends on sides, presidents and other factors," French co-chair said.

/Trend News/