The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, mediating a solution to the Karabakh conflict, have discussed the peace process with the separatist leader.
Bako Sahakyan, head of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic, received co-chairs Robert Bradtke of the USA, Igor Popov of Russia and Bernard Fassier of France in Karabakh's administrative centre, Khankandi (known to the Armenians by its Soviet-era name of Stepanakert).
The sides discussed resolution of the Karabakh conflict and regional processes, noting there was no alternative to peaceful settlement of the conflict, the Karabakh leader's press service reported.
Speaking about the removal of snipers from the contact line, Sahakyan stressed it was a key component in confidence-building measures, adding it would have a positive impact on the negotiation process.
Bako Sahakyan reiterated Stepanakert’s (Khankandi's) official position that it is impossible to expect any drastic change in the peace process without the Karabakh Armenians' direct participation in all stages of the talks.
US co-chair Robert Bradtke told journalists after the meeting: “We had an opportunity to discuss with president Bako Sahakyan those events that occurred since our last meeting in April. And it is a very busy period in terms of diplomatic activity. I had an opportunity to tell president Sahakyan about the visit of Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Washington. Particularly, one of the main aspects of the meeting of State Secretary Clinton with each of the two ministers is that she stressed the inadmissibility of violence."
Bradtke added that the recent statement of the French, Russian and US presidents had stressed the need for a peaceful settlement.
"And as our presidents in Deauville said, this inadmissible situation was caused by violence and the use of force is not a solution. The use of force will kill more people, more people will suffer and the solution of the problem is impossible through violence. The United States is committed to a peaceful solution of the Karabakh conflict."
French co-chair Bernard Fassier was encouraged by the fact that the mediators had crossed the contact line separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces.
"Yesterday, we crossed the contact line again and, as you know, this is already the third time in more than a year and it is a good sign for us. It shows that local military commanders are able to make contact, provide assistance and interact to guarantee our security. And this shows that this cooperation allows the ceasefire regime to be observed. We are very hopeful that regular crossing of the contact line could promote the strengthening of the ceasefire regime."
Russian mediator Igor Popov looked forward to the meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, to be mediated by Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev in Kazan on 25 June.
"We hope that the sides will show a constructive approach in Kazan,” Popov said.
Asked what was meant by the term "updated Madrid principles" to be used as a basis for negotiations, the Russian co-chair Popov said: “Work on the main principles is conducted all the time. I would not use the term ‘updated Madrid principles’. Proposals and corrections are made at every meeting. There is a draft today. A number of issues require further work. This work is being done by the ministers and the final version, if agreed, may be finalized in Kazan,” Popov said.
“The latest version of the Madrid principles is the version that was discussed in Sochi three months ago," Bernard Fassier added. "And as Igor Valentinovich [Popov] said, corrections are being made. There are some points that need to be finalized. Therefore, we hope that the final version will be adopted straightaway, because as you know the first version was proposed in late 2007.”
Karabakh's foreign minister, Georgy Petrosyan, and Andrzej Kasprzyk, personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office, were also present at the co-chair's meeting with Bako Sahakyan.
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