Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group: We are at a crucial stage of negotiations

“One should bear in mind that U.S. Secretary of State discussed not only Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during his visit to Azerbaijan and Armenia. Nevertheless, the visit played an important role in an approach to resolve the conflict,” Bradtke said.  

At the current stage of negotiations, the parties must look to the future instead of short-term obstacles, he said.

"Role of leaders of the OSCE Minsk Group should be increased in this matter. U.S. President’s joining the statement in Canada and the recent visit of U.S. Secretary of State to the South Caucasus show increased role of the leaders. Clinton had a unique idea, saying that "sometimes the most recent steps towards peace are the most difficult," he said.

The U.S. co-chair also added that sometimes small steps are far more important.

"There has been some progress. The parties agree that the solution should be based on the Helsinki principles. The parties accept six elements presented by U.S., French and Russian presidents twice previously. This is an interim and final status of Nagorno-Karabakh, the return of occupied territories, a direct corridor between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, the right of refugees and displaced persons to return and international guarantees of peace,” Bradtke explained.

“Now we need to coordinate these six elements with the Helsinki principles, and then reflect them in the framework agreement and build final settlement negotiations based on this. I note that currently we are at a crucial stage of negotiations," he said.


/1news.az/