YEREVAN. – OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) Minsk Group Co-Chairs symbolize the balance of external forces, Karabakh’s former FM and Armenian President’s former adviser Arman Melikyan stated, during a press conference on Friday, in response to a question referring to Russia’s role in the Minsk Group and the chances for replacing this role with that of France.         

According to Melikyan, the Minsk Group could enlarge, but, in reality, the policy is conducted by those who are behind this group. 

If the Russia-sponsored meetings between the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents stop, this would not mean a diminishment of Russia’s interests. 

At the same time, as per Arman Melikyan, Europe has a small chance of settling the Karabakh conflict. Europe has interests, but not levers, in the region. A result might come about should US decide to cooperate with Europe, but it would hardly wish to split with Europe, Melikyan maintained.