The Statement specifically says, "We, the representatives at the Deputy Minister level of the Russian Federation, the United States and France, together with the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman in Office, have come together in this joint diplomatic mission because of the need to promote a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and because now is the time for the sides to reach agreement on the basic principles of the settlement.

"We were received by President Kocharian and met earlier with Foreign Minister Oskanian. As we did yesterday in Baku, we have discussed important aspects of a future settlement. We have worked to create the conditions for a meeting of the two presidents in the near future. We have stressed the belief of our nations and, more widely, of the international community that the conflict can be resolved in no other way than a peaceful one. Both countries should, moreover, prepare their publics for peace and not war."

The Statement notes that discussions, both in Yerevan and in Baku, were constructive. "A joint mission such as this one is a special event. It must be taken as a sign of the seriousness with which we approach the issue and in particular, a belief that we are at the point where a mutually beneficial agreement is achievable.

"What happens now will be up to Armenia and Azerbaijan. We leave with hopes and expectations of progress," says the Joins Statement of the OSCE MG co-chair countries.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/