In the course of its OSCE presidency Kazakhstan will devote special attention to the protracted conflicts, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Kazakh Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev said at the Yerevan press conference, adding that the current visit to South Caucasus aims at this.

He also informed that discussed Karabakh issue with RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian. Kazakhstan is aware and monitors the negotiation process, we intend to give an impetus to the conflict settlement. However, the parties have the key to the problem solution and others can simply assist the early conflict settlement. We express cautious optimism about Karabakh peace process," said Saudabayev. He also added that Kazakhtsan presiding in OSCE will second any proposals on ease of tension in Karabakh conflict zone, including OSCE Minsk Group’s proposal for both sides to eliminate the snipers from contact line.

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian commented on the recent statement by his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov that updated version of Madrid principles is acceptable to Baku. “Azerbaijan was not accepting these principles for quite a while, even more — their existence. Presently, each side presents its remarks to the Minsk Group’s proposals. When Azerbaijan puts forward its proposals, we will see ,” Nalbandian stated.

A.G.