'Armenia is to be blamed for the absence of a serious breakthrough in the peace process on the Karabakh conflict settlement', said OSCE PA chairman.
The statement came from Chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Joao Soares speaking in an interview to BBC Azerbaijan service before completion of his term.
'As I am leaving the post of the chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I can speak in open', Soares said.
'We always hear promising statements on the resolution of the Karabakh conflict from some international observers. Some have been stating for already six years that there is a “gold” opportunity to attain peace. I also believe there is a good opportunity to reach peace. I feel the will aimed at the solution to the conflict both in Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The presidents of both Azerbaijan and Armenia demonstrate will to it. But along with the will, the Azerbaijani side has an opportunity to gain the result, The Armenian president also wishes to reach peace. After being elected the president, he has carried out huge work in this issue. But I cannot say that he has sufficient influence on the political powers of Armenia to gain result. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani president has a will and power. Therefore, I see the problem in the Armenian side', he noted.
Soares also noted that everyone knows the formula of the conflict settlement. These are the Madrid principles.
He considers that there are also other factors influencing the problem.
'Important steps were made a year ago to improve ties between Turkey and Armenia. However, problems appeared later in the ratification of documents. In addition, there are problems in the internal policy of Armenia too. The Armenian diaspora in Russia, the United States, Europe has a great influence on this country and most people agree that the diaspora is a factor that complicates the solution of the Karabakh conflict', Soares said.
The OSCE PA chairman said if Armenians take necessary steps, this will result in opening of borders with Turkey. 'But, undoubtedly, they have to take into account the diaspora. People living outside Armenia for 30 years must not define the state policy', Soares said.
According to the OSCE PA chairman, even if the proposals on the conflict settlement are not optimal, they are appropriate.
"There is a good saying in Portugal which can be translated as 'The best is the enemy of the good'", said Soares stressing the erroneousness of the endless search of the 'most optimal' variant, which skips the appropriate and good variants on the problem settlement.
Soares also noted that all that he said is his personal opinion not reflecting the position of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
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