YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Following recent negotiations in Moscow–the Russian and French Presidents made a joint statement–according to which–the cooperation within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Chairmanship has made it possible to make the works carried out with the parties to the Karabakh conflict more active and work out proposals for the stage-by-stage regulation of the issue.
Commenting on the statement–Russian Ambassador to Armenia Andrey Urnov stated that there is nothing new in the statement. It is persistently and fully backing the position identified in the Denver statement by the three co-chairmen and the policy conducted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.
According to the French Ambassador in Armenia Michel Legras–the statement is aimed at the fair resolution of the conflict in the shortest possible period.
Legras further discussed the issue in an interview with Armenpress–as well as general issues regarding Armenia France relations.
In response to a question on the current state of relations between Armenia and France–Legras said that "Armenian-French relations are cloudless relations. My only concern–as a French Ambassador in Armenia–is the development of economic relations between the two states. We should try to attract more investmen’s–taking into consideration export and import. I think that the Armenian President’s visit to France will push forward these relations."
According to Legras–the responsibilities of the co-chairmanship is defined by previously accepted standards. As to the meeting at the Embassy–the co-chairmen and their assistants decided on their activities during the visit to the region. Legras said–"As a witness of the meeting I should say that it was very impressive to see them at work and the mutual understanding between them was very obvious. As you know–meetings followed with the Armenian authorities and experts of the issue. During each visit–one of the sides is presenting his opinion and acting as a leader. This method provides for flexibility and is very effective. However–I think that the final resolution of the conflict heavily depends on the conflicting sides."
The Ambassador said that the three co-chairing states are on the same platform. Even though they each have their own peculiarities–they are able to work efficiently and closely together.
