US mediator praises Moscow`s role in seeking to settle conflict
US mediator Matthew Bryza has praised Russia`s
contribution to resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno)
Garabagh conflict despite Moscow`s military incursion in Georgia in
August that was widely condemned by the West.
"In spite of Russia`s adverse role in Georgia, I would like to say that we are seeing a 100% different story on the Garabagh issue," Bryza, a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group brokering the peace process, told Radio Liberty.
Bryza also said Moscow was displaying creative and constructive actions to quicken the peace efforts. "Russia has been very helpful in the Garabagh settlement."
At the same time, the diplomat emphasized, this does not mean that Russia`s influence in the region has increased. Bryza stressed that although the November 2 meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, which was hosted by Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev and concluded with the signing of a declaration on Garabagh settlement, was greeted positively, this does not imply the strengthening of Moscow`s positions.
Further, the mediator dismissed the possibility of stationing Russian peacekeepers in the conflict zone.
"There is no agreement in place stipulating which country`s peacekeeping forces will be stationed in Upper Garabagh. Azerbaijan has, for many years, opposed the stationing of Russian peacekeepers. Any step in this area should be agreed upon with both sides. If someone is saying Azerbaijan`s stance has changed, this is a completely new thing. But, Azerbaijan will reach a decision on its own."
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war over the mountainous region of Upper Garabagh in the early 1990s, which claimed some 30,000 lives and displaced about one million Azerbaijanis. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory since then. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but peace talks have so far accomplished nothing. Also, sporadic clashes on the frontline have continued.
"In spite of Russia`s adverse role in Georgia, I would like to say that we are seeing a 100% different story on the Garabagh issue," Bryza, a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group brokering the peace process, told Radio Liberty.
Bryza also said Moscow was displaying creative and constructive actions to quicken the peace efforts. "Russia has been very helpful in the Garabagh settlement."
At the same time, the diplomat emphasized, this does not mean that Russia`s influence in the region has increased. Bryza stressed that although the November 2 meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents, which was hosted by Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev and concluded with the signing of a declaration on Garabagh settlement, was greeted positively, this does not imply the strengthening of Moscow`s positions.
Further, the mediator dismissed the possibility of stationing Russian peacekeepers in the conflict zone.
"There is no agreement in place stipulating which country`s peacekeeping forces will be stationed in Upper Garabagh. Azerbaijan has, for many years, opposed the stationing of Russian peacekeepers. Any step in this area should be agreed upon with both sides. If someone is saying Azerbaijan`s stance has changed, this is a completely new thing. But, Azerbaijan will reach a decision on its own."
Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a war over the mountainous region of Upper Garabagh in the early 1990s, which claimed some 30,000 lives and displaced about one million Azerbaijanis. Armenia has been occupying over 20% of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory since then. The ceasefire accord was signed in 1994, but peace talks have so far accomplished nothing. Also, sporadic clashes on the frontline have continued.
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