Matthew Bryza: Changing negotiation format on Karabakh conflict would be unfair
By Trend
Changing the negotiation format on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would be unfair, Matthew Bryza, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan and former co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, told Trend.
He pointed out that the latest statement issued by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs rejects Prime Minister Pashinyan's request for a change in format of the mediation process.
“Beyond that, I do not interpret this statement as an example of pressure on Prime Minister Pashinyan. Rather, the statement both encourages both parties to continue negotiating in good faith at the highest political level, and is a call by the Co-Chairs for both parties to embrace the "Basic Principles" of a possible framework agreement for a formal settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and refrain from trying to define certain principles as more important than others. Making a change in the format of the Minsk Group as Prime Minister Pashinyan requests would not be fair,” said Bryza.
He went on to add that this latest statement reflects the continuing commitment of the OSCE and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to help the leaderships of Azerbaijan and Armenia define a framework agreement for a final and peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
“As has been the case throughout the history of the Minsk Group, the Co-Chairs welcome in this statement the commitment of President Aliyev and PM Pashinyan to meet under the auspices of the Minsk Group. So, there is nothing unusual or new in this latest statement by the Co-Chairs,” Bryza believes.