Azernews.Az

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly`s special representative on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict, Goran Lennmarker, has said there is a "good possibility" for the dispute to be solved this year, but "time is scarce" and it is now "critically important to seize the opportunity."
In an interview on the OSCE PA website, Lennmarker expressed hope that he would receive positive signals that the conflict is on its way to a peaceful resolution, where the two countries "are prepared to agree on a solution that is mutually beneficial for both of them, particularly for the peoples of the two countries, especially the refugees and the internally displaced persons (IDPs)."
Elaborating on prospects for reaching peace in 2009, Lennmarker said there is a good possibility for that, however it is "very much up to the leadership of the two countries" to take responsibility for resolving the conflict.
"We from the outside can support and help and also give support after a solution. But it`s the responsibility of the two countries, particularly the leadership and also the two parliaments, to actually reach a peaceful solution."
He emphasized that "time is a scarce commodity," adding that it is important that solutions are reached early-on, as with the slow peace process, the situation on the ground deteriorates and people have less and less hope.
Lennmarker will visit all three countries in the South Caucasus this week. His trip to the region includes visits to Armenia February 9-10, Georgia February 10-12, and Azerbaijan February 12-14 where he will hold talks with leaders in the parliaments, governments and with NGOs.
Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict for nearly two decades. A lengthy war ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994 but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Peace talks that kicked off after the hostilities have resulted in few accomplishments but remain ongoing.
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serzh Sarkisian held another round of talks in Zurich on January 28. The meeting, lasting over two hours, was described as constructive but no comprehensive information was divulged about the discussions.
Novruz Mammadov, head of the international relations department of the Azerbaijan President`s Office, said Presidents Aliyev and Sarkisian might hold another meeting this year. While commenting on the Zurich meeting, Mammadov said that despite having achieved some progress, it was not enough to take substantial steps aimed at reaching a solution.
Mammadov emphasized that, so far, Armenia has been trying to drag out the talks and does not appear to be interested in compromising. He added that for Yerevan to take a stance on compromising, international groups and world powers must put pressure on Armenia.

`Framework agreement`
Baku and Yerevan may sign an agreement on establishing a framework for a Garabagh settlement this summer, Marie Yovanovitch, the US ambassador to Armenia, has told Radio Liberty.
She said the intense talks underway between the parties and efforts being made to resolve the long-standing dispute enabled this conclusion.
Yovanovitch said the United States, as one of the countries co-chairing the mediating OSCE Minsk Group, was ready to provide any assistance to speed resolution of the long-standing conflict.
Yovanovitch also said Washington was interested in the development of Turkey- Armenia relations, which have been strained for many years, and supported Ankara`s efforts at solving the Garabagh problem.
The presidential administration official Novruz Mammadov said this possibility is not ruled out if Yerevan "relinquishes its insincere actions."
But Azerbaijani experts lack confidence that such a document will be inked this year.
"The positions being clearly stated by the heads of state once again show that expecting any agreement in the near future would be gullible," said the former state adviser, analyst Vafa Guluzada.
"This framework agreement has been brought up so many times. Moreover, Serzh Sarkisian has made it clear that Armenia`s making concessions is a fairy tale, in other words, saying that if Azerbaijan concedes its land, then such an agreement will be signed. I don`t think the Azerbaijani leadership will ever agree to this. Therefore, I think this is nothing but empty talk."
Arif Yunus, an expert on conflicts, said that even if the framework deal is reached, confidence of this being a step forward in the peace process was slim.
"This is similar to the Moscow declaration. The parties did sign it, but nothing has been achieved. If a major organization like the United Nations passes four resolutions [urging unconditional pullout of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories] and these resolutions merely remain on paper, why should we think that things will improve after some framework agreement is signed?"
The Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders signed a declaration after talks in Moscow on November 2, 2008 that took place on the initiative of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The first document inked by the two heads of state in the past 16 years, it called for settling the Garabagh conflict in line with the principles of international law and respective decisions and resolutions passed so far.