Presidents’ statement in Sochi creates prerequisites for peace maintenance in co

The Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents’ meeting in Sochi failed to register a breakthrough in the Karabakh peace process due to Baku’s non-constructive stance, MP from “Prosperous Armenia Party” Naira Zohrabyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Meanwhile, she stressed the signing of the joint document by the three leaders may be considered certain progress in the negotiation process. “The document’s second point is noteworthy, which underlines the necessity for settling all the disputable issues in peaceful means and investigating possible incidents along the line of contact with the sides’ participation, under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. This provision provides guarantees for maintenance of peace in the line of contact,” Zohrabyan emphasized. She noted that this point was disadvantageous to Baku as the Azerbaijani side violates the ceasefire regularly on the frontline. If it were Aliyev’s decision, he would not sign the statement, she noted.

However, there is no guarantee Aliyev will adhere to the document, she said. “We have been repeatedly witnessed that Azerbaijan broke documents it signed,” Zohrabyan underscored.

Upon the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, the Presidents of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan met on March 5, 2011 in Sochi and discussed in detail the process and the prospects of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution.

1. To conclude in the shortest possible period of time the exchange of the prisoners of war,

2. To strive to solve all contentious issues through peaceful means and to conduct along the cease-fire line an investigation with the participation of the parties under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and with the assistance of the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office regarding probable incidents.

The Presidents stressed the importance of their regular meetings on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and agreed to continue them in the present format and further to the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group.