WAPFP urges Baku to refuse mediation mission of OSCE Minsk Group

The statement adopted by the OSCE Minsk Group co- chairs regarding consideration of the anti-Armenian resolutions at PACE has caused the sharp protest of the Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (WAPFP).

APA reports that WAPFP chief, MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev says Azerbaijan shouldn't take a position like an obedient observer, but it should refuse the mediation mission of Russia, the U.S. and France. "The pro- Armenian position of the three co-chairing states doesn't inspire hope that they will show interest in the fair resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and act in this direction. One of the co-chairing states is Russia which is a military and political ally of Armenia, while political elite of the others, the U.S. and France, is under the influence and control of the Armenian Diaspora. In this case, reconciliation with their mediation mission means moving forward the act of capitulation step-by-step", APA quotes Hasanguliyev as saying.

To recall, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group made a statement on January 22 wherein they welcomed efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and are prepared to work cooperatively with those committed to a peaceful settlement. "We appreciate the interest paid by PACE members, but urge that steps not be taken which could undermine the Minsk Group's mandate from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe or complicate ongoing negotiations," the statement says.

This statement caused Baku's indignation. Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev blamed the Co-Chairs for acting "as monopolist" in the negotiation process. "Azerbaijan will continue its activities in this area in all relevant international organizations," he said.  

For his part, Tigran Balayan, Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Armenia, has told ArmInfo that the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group co- chairs concerning the expediency of discussing and adopting the two reports on the Karabakh issue by PACE can be considered as one more message addressed to Azerbaijan. "The co-chairs have reiterated that Azerbaijan's attempts to drive the Karabakh peace beyond the OSCE MG format will undermine the negotiations for peaceful resolution of the conflict," he says. 
To note, on Jan 25 PACE will start its winter session. The agenda includes two anti-Armenian draft resolutions - on "Escalation of violence in Nagorno- Karabakh and the other occupied territories of Azerbaijan" (rapporteur Robert Walter, UK) and on "Inhabitants of frontier regions of Azerbaijan are deliberately deprived of water" (rapporteur Milica Markovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina). The draft resolutions contain wordings running counter to the Armenian side's stand on these issues. The efforts of the Armenian Delegation to PACE to remove these documents from the winter session agenda have failed.  The documents should be discussed on January 26.