Aliyev accuses OSCE MG of inaction

President Aliyev accused the visiting OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs of having done nothing palpable for the resolution of the Garabagh conflict in a meeting as part of their regional trip Sunday. The President said he was alarmed with the delayed solution to the dispute and stressed the necessity of joining efforts in this regard.

French co-chair Phillip de Surmaen said it was necessary to continue the negotiations on the basis of the Key West and Paris meetings. The diplomat emphasized that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are attempting to take steps to reach understanding between the parties.

The US negotiator Rudolf Perina informed President Aliyev of the consultations the co-chairs had had in Lisbon. He said the political and public circles in the US, France and Russia now believe that it is right time for the resolution of the Garabagh conflict. If we leave it for the future, it will surely grow complicated and hard to resolve. But anyhow, there shouldn’t be a military mode of settlement, the US envoy stressed.

Taking the floor then, Russia negotiator Vyacheslav Trubnikov said that time is approaching to settle the dispute and end the “No war no peace” state both parties are currently in. “I also agree that there couldn’t and shouldn’t be any military solution”, he indicated. A new situation is reigning in the world, as anti-terror operations and joint efforts to stamp out terrorism have arisen feelings of responsibility and aspiration for interaction. These combine to open up new opportunities and we would like our visit to be a huge step forward, he said.

President Aliyev said the interests of the parties to the conflict differ so much to disagree on the solution. "We are a country that has suffered aggression, while Armenia is putting forth its ambitions, handicapping the solution process", the Azeri President indicated.

Reaffirming Azerbaijan's adherence to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, President Aliyev said the majority of people in Azerbaijan is for a military solution, which is quite natural. “Our people can’t but tolerate the situation and tend to mull over war”, he said. It is beyond any doubt that there should be developed a solution that would fit the interests of both countries, the President emphasized.

‘Reticent about solution date’

The co-chairs declined to name a concrete date for the solution to the Garabagh conflict in a news conference dedicated to the outcomes of the trip Sunday.

Answering the questions of journalists, Russian deputy foreign minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov said the settlement depends on the presidents of the two countries. According to him, the important thing is that the co-chairs have ascertained the statement by President Aliyev that the Azerbaijan people is 'sick and tired' of awaiting a negotiated resolution of the dispute and aspires for its military solution. "We got reassured that President Aliyev advocates for peace and, I think, has enough authority to rule his country and avoid war", Mr. Trubnikov said. US negotiator Rudolf Perina said the situation that has arisen following the September 11 terror attacks in the US has set favorable conditions for the settlement of the conflict and this advantage should be taken.

On Monday, the co-chairs took part in the monitoring on the contact line of the Armenian and Azerbaijan troops in Terter province.