YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Nagorno-Karabakh Republic foreign minister Georgi Petrossian Wednesday emphasized that the country’s position on the conflict resolution process remained unchanged and urged the inclusion of a Karabakh side in the peace process.
"Nagorno-Karabakh took part in the establishment of the cease-fire–thus it is entitled to participate in talks that will decide its fate," Petrossian emphasized.
He emphasized that Karabakh would not like to see the elimination of the results of the conflict–but rather concrete solutions to resolve the issue.
He also reported that during their visit to the US–Karabakh representatives voiced their concerns over publicizing the principles of a peace plan drafted by the OSCE Minsk Group.
Late last month–the Minsk Group US co-chairman Matthew Bryza leaked the confidential details of a peace plan being negotiated for the last two years.
"The latest developmen’s in the conflict resolution process have created a new situation and it is not yet how the talks will resume," said Petrossian.
Meanwhile–Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan told a press conference Wednesday that the latest proposals by the OSCE Minsk Group can serve as a basis to continue the peace talks and the conflict resolution process.
Ghulyan said that not all provisions proposed by the Minsk Group are acceptable to the leadership of both Armenia and Karabakh.
"Publicizing the principles of the OSCE-proposed peace plans by the mediators is aimed at launching public discourse among the parties to the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict." said Ghulyan.
"In doing so–the Minsk Group co-chairs provide an opportunity to the parties to find a solution to the problem on their own," added Ghulyan.
The speaker expressed optimism that the resolution to the conflict would be comprehensive–citing recent statemen’s by the Minsk Group co-chairmen. In discussing a possible resolution by this year–Ghulyan emphasized the political situation in Azerbaijan–as well as the posturing by the Azeri leadership as reasons that Baku was not willing settle conflict as soon as possible.
"An agreement by Azerbaijan to engage in dialogue with Nagorno-Karabakh will signal Azerbaijan’s willingness to resolve the conflict," Ghulyan said.