OSCE Chairman's Special Envoy brings added impetus to search for solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

SOFIA, 24 September 2004 - Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Philip Dimitrov completed three days of visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia as Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy. His task was to bring added impetus to the peace process for the resolution of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

In Baku, Mr. Dimitrov had meetings with President Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Parliamentary Speaker Aleskerov, Foreign Minister Mamedyarov and Defence Minister Abiyev. While in Baku, he also met the representative of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In Yerevan, Mr. Dimitrov met President Kocharyan of Armenia, Parliamentary Speaker Bagdasaryan, Foreign Minister Oskanian and Defence Minister Sarkisyan. There he also held a meeting with the leader of the de facto Nagorno-Karabakh authorities.

In all these conversations, the Special Envoy emphasized the commitment of the Chairman-in-Office to finding a solution to the conflict, as well as his support for the positive momentum gained during 2004 within the framework of the "Prague Process", a series of meetings held in the Czech capital, and the intensified dialogue between the Presidents of both countries.

"I am grateful to former Prime Minister Dimitrov for undertaking this important mission on behalf of the Bulgarian chairmanship", said the Chairman-in-Office, currently in New York for the UN General Assembly.

In both countries, Mr. Dimitrov also reaffirmed the support of the CiO for the efforts of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Personal Representative of the CiO on the conflict dealt with by that body, to find a comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict.

He received reassurances from both sides that they were committed to reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict. The Azerbaijani and Armenian leaderships expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the CiO, the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group and the OSCE generally in assisting the parties to find a solution to the conflict. They also expressed their willingness to continue the dialogue.

During his trip Mr. Dimitrov was accompanied by Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the CiO. He will report back to the Chairman-in-Office on his return.