Mammadyarov: "Return of Lachin and referendum are not those issues which block negotiation process"

As for which are those issues, Mammadyarov did not state, "I would do it with pleasure, but the problem is that the fewer the uncleared issues are, the more careful we must be taking into account the sensitiveness of the Armenian and Azeri societies," he mentioned hinting that after the final agreement the new variant of settlement will become subject for public discussions.

Why didn't Mammadyarov and Oskanian meet within the framework of the two-day meeting of the OSCE Foreign Ministers? Mammadyarov answered, "I had met my Armenian colleague earlier, after the Minsk meeting of the Presidents. The Armenian side asked for time in order to analyze the situation. As far as I understand, they do not have an answer, that's why there is no meeting."

During the meeting Mammadyarov voiced doubts as to the sincerity of the wish of the Armenian side to settle the conflict. According to the Azeri Foreign Minister, if the Armenian side had that wish, there would not be a constitutional referendum in Karabakh. "As far as I understand, the international structures will not accept the results of the referendum. It is a waste of efforts, time and nerves which can negatively affect the process of peaceful settlement of the conflict," said Mammadyarov. A1+