OSCE PA envoy says ‘it is time’ for solution on Garabagh
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s special
representative on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh
conflict has said it is time to reach a solution to the
long-standing dispute.
Goran Lennmarker, who also acts as the OSCE PA envoy on disputes in Georgia, said during a visit to Tbilisi, being paid with the assembly’s President, Joao Soares, that discussions will be held on Garabagh settlement with officials in Baku and Yerevan.
"We will hold very important meetings, including those with both presidents. In my view, the work of the [mediating] OSCE Minsk Group means that the framework to find a solution to the problem is there. But the core issue here is finding solutions that would satisfy both leaders and states.
"Solving the problem is more important for Azerbaijan, as it has a considerable number of refugees and displaced persons, whose rights to return home are to be reinstated," Lennmarker said.
He went on to say that progress is being seen in Garabagh settlement as negotiations continue.
"Meetings on the level of foreign ministers and presidents are underway based on the OSCE Minsk Group’s proposals. I assess the current situation as a good time to make decisions. Both presidents, while taking into account the existing opportunities, should work to reach agreement," Lennmarker said.
OSCE PA President Soares said a number of positive steps have already been taken to advance a settlement to the Garabagh conflict. "Now there is a need for both sides to make certain political moves."
The OSCE officials will stay in Georgia on Wednesday and further head to Armenia. On Saturday, they are due to arrive in Azerbaijan. Their visit to the South Caucasus region will be completed next Tuesday.
The Garabagh conflict emerged during the last few years of the Soviet Union. 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, including Upper Garabagh and seven adjacent districts, has been under Armenian occupation since the two South Caucasus republics signed a precarious cease-fire in 1994 following a lengthy war. The Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France, is brokering peace talks.*
Goran Lennmarker, who also acts as the OSCE PA envoy on disputes in Georgia, said during a visit to Tbilisi, being paid with the assembly’s President, Joao Soares, that discussions will be held on Garabagh settlement with officials in Baku and Yerevan.
"We will hold very important meetings, including those with both presidents. In my view, the work of the [mediating] OSCE Minsk Group means that the framework to find a solution to the problem is there. But the core issue here is finding solutions that would satisfy both leaders and states.
"Solving the problem is more important for Azerbaijan, as it has a considerable number of refugees and displaced persons, whose rights to return home are to be reinstated," Lennmarker said.
He went on to say that progress is being seen in Garabagh settlement as negotiations continue.
"Meetings on the level of foreign ministers and presidents are underway based on the OSCE Minsk Group’s proposals. I assess the current situation as a good time to make decisions. Both presidents, while taking into account the existing opportunities, should work to reach agreement," Lennmarker said.
OSCE PA President Soares said a number of positive steps have already been taken to advance a settlement to the Garabagh conflict. "Now there is a need for both sides to make certain political moves."
The OSCE officials will stay in Georgia on Wednesday and further head to Armenia. On Saturday, they are due to arrive in Azerbaijan. Their visit to the South Caucasus region will be completed next Tuesday.
The Garabagh conflict emerged during the last few years of the Soviet Union. 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory, including Upper Garabagh and seven adjacent districts, has been under Armenian occupation since the two South Caucasus republics signed a precarious cease-fire in 1994 following a lengthy war. The Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France, is brokering peace talks.*
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