The year 2013 may become crucial for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 

PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) President Jean-Claude Mignon stated the aforesaid during his visit to Azerbaijan on Monday.

Stressing that PACE plans to take new steps toward the settlement of the conflict, Mignon informed that he wishes to meet with the leaders of the delegations from Armenia and Azerbaijan and to hold serious discussions on this matter.     

“We believe 2013 may become a turning point, since Armenia and Azerbaijan are given an opportunity to take certain steps this year. Armenia and Azerbaijan will chair the CoE [i.e., the Council of Europe] Ministers’ Committee. They should take advantage of this opportunity, evaluate this historic moment, and take certain steps to resolve the conflict,” the PACE President said.         

He also suggested that, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Élysée Treaty that was signed between France and Germany, Armenia and Azerbaijan likewise can sign a peace treaty.    

“PACE has all the opportunities for reconciliation between the two parties and reaching an agreement on this matter,” Jean-Claude Mignon concluded.