One of the first OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, Russian representative Vladimir Kazimirov was among the attendees at the event in Stepanakert to celebrate the Triple Holiday on May 9th.
Ambassador Kazimirov told Aravot Daily and the Armenia television channel that he believes Artsakh needs to return to the negotiations table. It was a part of the negotiations process until 1997, which was recorded in the Budapest memorandum. After that, Artsakh remained outside of the process, and Yerevan and Baku were to blame for that. Vladimir Kazimirov does not see any other option besides having Artsakh be a part of the negotiations process because Artsakh’s fate is what is being decided. When asked if he thinks that is a possibility now, Kazimirov responded that even the first co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group accept it. However, he did not mention any specific time frame as to when Artsakh needs to restore its position.
Regarding the current phase of the negotiations process, Vladimir Kazimirov said that, according to his observations, the positions of the three sides, Artsakh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, remain very tough. He believes that it is not possible for the issue to be resolved soon, but the issue will be resolved with the next generation.
Nelly Grigoryan
