Armenian FM accuses Azerbaijan of undermining talks
Armenia had numerous expectations from the 19th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council but as usually the country was met with disappointment.
The OSCE works with the consent of participating states and its statements are publicized after all its member states give their consent. In the result, the structure frequently makes vague and, in many cases, contradictory statements, leaving the most important behind the curtains. The most fascinating are the speeches made by delegations of the OSCE member states.
In his speech on Dec. 6, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov again blamed Armenia for thwarting the negotiation process and expressed its disappointment with the OSCE for its ‘mild' position.
For his turn, Armenian Edward Nalbandian today accused Azerbaijan of undermining the Karabakh peace process and rejected the OSCE proposals one after another.
Nalbandian stressed that Azerbaijan poses a menace to the security of the region by constantly threatening to use force against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
Then he recalled the extradition of Azerbaijani axe-killed Ramil Safarov who was made a symbol of national pride by Azerbaijani authorities.
However, after the solid speeches, the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs agreed to meet early in 2013.
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Secretary of State of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Minister Delegate for European Affairs of France Bernard Cazeneuve issued a statement on December 6, calling upon Armenia and Azerbaijan to demonstrate a greater sense of urgency in the peace process.
The 20th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council is scheduled to be held in Kyiv in 2013.
