Mann believes Yerevan and Baku Can Simultaneously Come out Victors at Talks

There is a lull in the talks on settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict lately, however this is not due to the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Steven Mann stated. In his words, at present the attention of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia is drawn to the coming election in those countries. «We expect the NK talks to continue after the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan and referendum in Armenia,» he said. In spite the parties have a firm stands at the talks, the mediators observe a favorable atmosphere in the negotiation process, S. Mann remarked. «If both parties display more creativity, we will advance,» he said. As of the peace proposals made by the International Crisis Group, «various ideas are considered,» the US Co-Chair said. Noting confidentiality should be observed at the talks, S. Mann added, «We consider various options of compromise. I believe both Armenia and Azerbaijan will be able to simultaneously come out victors at the talks. This is not an easy thing to do. However I suppose it is still possible.» It should be noted that October 24-25 the OSCE MG US, Russian and French Co-Chairs will meet in Washington to discuss future plans. Steven Mann also noted that the cooperation between the Co-Chairs is rather fruitful, reported RFE/RL.