Matthew Bryza: "The Karabakh conflict will be settled soon. I hope it will happen next year"

- After the recent war in Georgia you said that it will influence the settlement of the Karabakh conflict in the sense that some differences must be settled with Russia. Have these differences been settled?

- I think yes, President Medvedev, I think, has showed that he can play and has already played a positive role. On the other hand, Russia fulfills, though not completely, these functions, signed by Presidents Medvedev and Sarkozy. It means that the situation is improving related to relations between Georgia and Russia but they are still bad. However, President Medvedev has already made his positive contribution.

- Have the prospects of the Karabakh conflict settlement improved, considering the recent events?

- I think they have improved as all parties are aware that the conflict should be settled and that this conflict requires attention. It should be settled and there is a potential for that. And I feel there is a good environment between the Presidents Aliyev and Sargsyan. This also depends on the extent the two leaders feel trust and respect towards each others. This is normal and this is an issue of relations between people.

- When is the next meeting of Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia expected? Can it occur by the end of this year?

- We do not know. This is possible, but I think that this will happen in early next year. But, I would repeat that we do not know, as this issue depends on my current visit. I will fly directly to Yerevan today. Let's see the reaction of President Sargsyan. Then tomorrow I will be in Khankendi and we will be holding talks there. If everything is normal, the meeting will also be held between the Foreign Ministers. The meeting between presidents will take place in case of positive results.

- Is it possible to state in connection with the completion of elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan that favorable perspectives have been created for the conflict settlement in the next five years?

- Yeah, I even hope that it will happen next year.

/Day.Az/