Additional level of negotiation on Nagorno-Karabakh agreed

VIENNA, 15 March 2002 - The Co-Chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group recently completed another visit to the South Caucasus region. The Delegation was headed by First Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov and Ambassador Nikolai Gribkov representing the Russian Federation, Ambassador Philippe de Suremain representing the French Republic, and Ambassador Rudolf Perina representing the United States of America.

During this visit, the delegation presented to President Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Kocharian of Armenia a proposal for an additional level of negotiation between the two Presidents. This negotiation will supplement - and not replace - the ongoing direct dialogue between the two Presidents, as well as the work and periodic visits to the region of the Minsk Group Co-Chairmen, in whom the Presidents reiterated their confidence.

The two Presidents accepted this proposal and agreed to appoint Personal Representatives at the level of deputy foreign ministers. The Minsk Group Co-Chairmen will convene and chair meetings of the Personal Representatives on a regular basis at two or three month intervals. The first meeting of the Personal Representatives is expected to be held during the month of May in Prague.