Bryza: "There are many reasons for soonest peaceful settlement in Karabakh conflict"

"We have pointed to upcoming elections in both Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2007 and 2008 as one of the reasons why 2006 provides an ideal window of opportunity for concluding a peace agreement between the two countries," the diplomat said. There are, of course, many other reasons why embracing a peaceful settlement of the conflict sooner rather than later is desirable, starting with the positive impact such an agreement would have on securing regional stability and promoting opportunities for economic growth across the South Caucasus, he added.

The diplomat did not rule out that the elections in Armenia and Azerbaijan might have an impact on prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "We hope that impact will be positive and that the populations in both countries will let their leaders and candidates for political office know that efforts to move toward peace, stability, and prosperity are welcomed by their publics," he emphasized, reports Trend news agency.

/PanARMENIAN.Net/