Matthew Bryza: "Peace talks not deadlocked despite exhausted mediating effort"

"The latest statement of the mediators made at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting that they cannot achieve any more progress in determining the principles for peaceful settlement does not imply a deadlock. It means that the co-chairmen's efforts have been exhausted and there is a need for initiatives from the two countries' presidents," the US co-chair Matthew Bryza said in an interview with the BBC's Azeri service.

"The statement means that we have reached a point where the co-chairs are saying the two leaders should make a decision on what they want," Bryza said.

According to AssA-Irada, he said the heads of state have political will and are willing to cooperate.

"But we are not sure if they are ready to take the final and challenging step – finalize the framework agreement. This is time when the two leaders should explain the benefit of the peace plan to their people and show them the way to advance through concessions. This is a road of diplomacy, not war."

Bryza said there are fair and promising principles on the negotiating table. "These are the best proposals made so far. I would say that we are closer to peace than ever before. But I can't guarantee that the presidents would use their sovereign right to accept these proposals or make changes that would suit both sides."

The intermediary stressed that the US government's statements on supporting Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the issue of Nagorno Karabakh's self-determination are not contradictory.

"If you are paying attention to the co-chairs' statements, there is reference to both principles. The main thing is to find a common ground in these principles at the negotiating table," Bryza said.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Taghizade said the US co-chair's statement suggesting that the mediators have exhausted their creativity raises different questions.

"I am not sure how it should be assessed. It appears that the co-chairs want to step aside from the peace process and lay responsibility on the parties to the conflict.
“This is wrong. But if this [the statement] aims to give an incentive [to the sides], that’s different," Taghizade said.

With regard to compromises, Taghizade said it is not clear what the US diplomat means.
"He probably remembers that although Azerbaijan has been subjected to aggression and occupation, it remains committed to diplomatic contacts. This is our biggest compromise. It is wrong to equate an aggressor with a victim of aggression."

Taghizade declined detailed comment on the assumptions that the OSCE mediators' latest statements are aimed to put pressure on the conflicting sides, but said there is no need to pressure Azerbaijan.

"We understand very well how serious the unresolved status of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is for the region and the international community. This is one of the priorities in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy," he added.

/AzerNEWS/