Tweet
US FORMER AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN HOPES FOR BREAKTHROUGH IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH NEGOTIATIONS
Trend
April 5 2012
Azerbaijan
The US former ambassador to Azerbaijan, Matthew Bryza hopes for speedy
breakthrough in Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations.
"During the time I haven't been here there was no dramatic shift in the
Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations. I continue to be convinced that there is
a workable and fair proposal on the table that co-chairs have worked
on for many years and I think there will be breakthrough when the two
presidents [of Azerbaijan and Armenia] feel they can trust each one
sufficiently. I hope this will be soon but that's up to the presidents
of course and it's up to the society. The societies as well need to
understand they have to live together", Bryza, who had also served
as a co-chair for OSCE Minsk Group said at an event marking the 20th
anniversary of establishment of Azerbaijani-US diplomatic relations.
"I miss Azerbaijan terribly as I'm happy to come here to spend
Easter holidays here. This nice reception celebrating 20 years of
U.S.-Azerbaijani diplomatic relations is a chance and I am very lucky
here tonight", he said.
Bryza said that it's up to president Obama to make determination on
the new US ambassador to Azerbaijan.
"I have my own ideas but it's up to him. I know that there will be
an extremely capable candidate or a number of candidates that will
definitely strengthen U.S.-Azerbaijani relations and advantage",
Bryza said.
President Barack Obama in late 2010 appointed a career diplomat,
former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza as ambassador to
Azerbaijan bypassing the Senate, which for several months was blocking
his nomination under pressure of pro-Armenian senators Barbara Boxer
and Robert Menendez. In late December, 2011 Bryza ended his mission
in Azerbaijan and left for the U.S, after the Senate failed to confirm
his nomination.
Bryza now serves as a Director of the Estonia-based International
Centre for Defence Studies.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. -
are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.
Trend
April 5 2012
Azerbaijan
The US former ambassador to Azerbaijan, Matthew Bryza hopes for speedy
breakthrough in Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations.
"During the time I haven't been here there was no dramatic shift in the
Nagorno-Karabakh negotiations. I continue to be convinced that there is
a workable and fair proposal on the table that co-chairs have worked
on for many years and I think there will be breakthrough when the two
presidents [of Azerbaijan and Armenia] feel they can trust each one
sufficiently. I hope this will be soon but that's up to the presidents
of course and it's up to the society. The societies as well need to
understand they have to live together", Bryza, who had also served
as a co-chair for OSCE Minsk Group said at an event marking the 20th
anniversary of establishment of Azerbaijani-US diplomatic relations.
"I miss Azerbaijan terribly as I'm happy to come here to spend
Easter holidays here. This nice reception celebrating 20 years of
U.S.-Azerbaijani diplomatic relations is a chance and I am very lucky
here tonight", he said.
Bryza said that it's up to president Obama to make determination on
the new US ambassador to Azerbaijan.
"I have my own ideas but it's up to him. I know that there will be
an extremely capable candidate or a number of candidates that will
definitely strengthen U.S.-Azerbaijani relations and advantage",
Bryza said.
President Barack Obama in late 2010 appointed a career diplomat,
former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza as ambassador to
Azerbaijan bypassing the Senate, which for several months was blocking
his nomination under pressure of pro-Armenian senators Barbara Boxer
and Robert Menendez. In late December, 2011 Bryza ended his mission
in Azerbaijan and left for the U.S, after the Senate failed to confirm
his nomination.
Bryza now serves as a Director of the Estonia-based International
Centre for Defence Studies.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France and the U.S. -
are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.