A.Gulyan: "NKR not optimistic about Kazan meeting"
"NKR authorities are not optimistic about the upcoming meeting between the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian Presidents," Speaker of the NKR National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan told journalists in Yerevan.
"As usual Azerbaijan attempts to distort the essence of negotiations and continues to make bellicose statements. Morover, they introduce news elements in the conflict resolution," said the NKR parliament speaker.
"The Presidents may reach an agreement in Kazan. On the other hand, I do not exclude that the talks may reach a deadlock," he added.
Karabakh predicts activeness in the negotiation process in the fall. Before that it is necessary to use all diplomatic levers to present Karabakh's position to the international community.
Asked whether Azerbaijan is likely to incite provocations on the eve of the Kazan meeting, the NKR official said: "The NKR Defense Army is always ready to withstand Azerbaijan's provocative acts. In my opinion, Baku has learned a lesson from our adequate measures."
To the question whether NKR will be involved in the negotiation as a full-fledged party, Gulyan said, "I think that it is realistic. The Co-Chairs also began speaking about NKR's engagement in the talks. The only side that opposes to it is Azerbaijan. Nagorno Karabakh will sooner or later be involved in the negotiations as a full-fledged party to the talks."
"For this very purpose, at the last meeting with the OSCE Minks Group, NKR President emphasized that we see the participation of Karabakh in all stages of the peace process," he concluded.
