Says OSCE Co-Chairs Are the Authorized Mediators of Karabagh Conflict
YEREVAN (A.W.)—Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov, in a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian in Yerevan on Nov. 9, said that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is the authorized mediator in the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, and that Russia supports Armenia’s commitment to a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
Lavrov criticized the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly’s (PACE) efforts to intervene in the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict by such measures as their approval last week of a draft resolution that endorses Azerbaijan’s position in the conflict. Lavrov said that such steps will only harm the international peace efforts led by the Minsk Group co-chairs.
“We—[co-chairs] Russia, the United States, and France—are firmly against attempts to take this subject to other international platforms that do not deal with the conflict’s settlement, instead of a consistent, businesslike, and patient dialogue on the Nagorno-Karabagh settlement. At least, nobody has given them such a task on behalf of the international community,” he said during the press conference.
Lavrov also stressed that the parties involved must work to draw out a “mutually beneficial” outcome and that as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Russia will continue to actively work for a positive outcome in the conflict.
“The [Minsk Group] co-chairs are working on an agreement between the parties based on principles approved by the United Nations Security Council,” Lavrov was quoted as saying in a press statement released by Armenia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. “The three mediating the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict settlement are an authorized body, and any drastic, extreme actions taken by either side can only cause harm and damage co-operation,” he added.
“Azerbaijan is trying to shift discussions on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict to other platforms, other formats,” said Nalbandian. “The OSCE Minsk group is the only authorized mediator on the Nagorno-Karabagh settlement. Armenia’s position is entirely consistent with the position of the co-chairs and other institutions and organizations should not take any steps that could undermine the peace process and escalate tensions in the region.”
During his Nov. 9 working visit to Yerevan, Lavrov was received by Armenian President Serge Sarkisian and held talks with Minister Nalbandian prior to their joint press conference.
According to PACE’s website, the draft resolution was approved on 4/11/2015, and calls for ” the withdrawal of Armenian armed
forces and other irregular armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan, and the establishment of full sovereignty of Azerbaijan in these territories”.
The draft resolution is due to be debated by the Assembly at its January 2016 session.
There is something mysterious and extremely fishy about this draft resolution.
The draft resolution was based on a report by Robert Walter (United Kingdom, EC).
Mr. Walter is an unabashed supporter of Turkey and Azerbaijan. In May 2015, he was granted Turkish citizenship, thus affording him dual citizenship. On what legal basis was he granted Turkish citizenship is
neither explained nr justified. He has absolutely no ties to Turkey;
the only explanation is that he was ” bought” .
What a shame and disgrace for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and for the United Kingdom to be an accomplice.
Vart Adjemian
This draft resolution is so outrageous and morally corrupt, that brings into question the integrity of PACE.
On doing further research on Mr. Robert Walter, here are facts that clearly show his biased leanings to Turkey and Azerbaijan.
He was born in 1948 in Swansea Wales.
He was first elected to UK parliament in 1987. In 2015, he stood down and did not seek reelection.
He was appointed to PACE by prime Minister David Cameron.
His first wife, Sally Middleton passed away in 1995.
In 2011 he remarried to Feride Alp.
Ms Alp is a Turkish citizen. She came to England from Turkey in 1982.
Between 1998 and 2006 she served as the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive officer of the Turkish British Chamber od Commerce and Industry.
The obvious conclusion is that the Turkish government through his wife were able to ” buy” him and manipulate him. They even granted him Turkish citizenship, which is a sham.
Who knows how much he and his wife are being paid by the Turks/Azeris.
Vart Adjemian