Joao Soares: I will be open for discussions with all interested parties on both sides of the conflict

YEREVAN, JULY 15, ARMENPRESS:

At the plenary sitting of the OSCE PA July 9 Joao Soares was appointed Special Representative for the Caucasus and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenpress news agency conducted an exclusive interview with Mr Joao Soares.

- How do you assess the present phase of the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

- The current phase of the negotiations is very important.I think there is good reason to be prudently optimistic. There is a growing understanding that the status quo is not good for any of the sides and that time is not working for anyone either.Political will is needed to agree on the general principles, so that the peace process can move to the next stage.

- There are speculations that the framework of Minsk Group is not an accurate one. What is your attitude towards those kind of speculations, is the work of Minsk Group still necessary?

- The OSCE Minsk Group is the best possible format for negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.The OSCE, with its comprehensive security concept and wide membership is the best possible forum which can assist Armenia and Azerbaijan in solving this conflict.However, the Minsk Group does not exist to impose any solution on any party.The sides must agree. The solution will have to be a compromise, and therefore both sides will need to give in on some of their demands.This is a difficult process, and it is painful for the sides in the conflict.But a peaceful solution is the only viable way forward.

- What is the role of Nagorno-Karabakh as a party to the conflict in the process of settlement? Should it become a party in the negotiations?

- Dialogue with the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and representatives of the Azerbaijani population who fled is very important.In the negotiations themselves, the OSCE Minsk Group is the best format for all parties, and in earlier discussions it was determined that negotiations should take place between Armenia and Azerbaijan.It would be a mistake to change the format at this stage.As special representative, I will be open for discussions with all interested parties on both sides of the conflict.

- Besides the level of the presidents, what other formats of interaction do you see that can provide for the settlement of the conflict? What role can the parliamentarians play in this regard?

- The two Presidents and Foreign Ministers have responsibility for the negotiations themselves, but different players have a role, especially at the moment when an agreement is reached.Members of Parliament provide a direct link between the political system and the voters they represent, and thus are in a crucial role to build public support for any agreement.Parliamentarians have a responsibility to communicate the political decisions to the people and promote the peace talks. In this way, Members of Parliament can help prepare the ground for a solution and then promote its implementation.

- Is it possible to have any kind of reconciliation on the level of the societies, while Azerbaijan is still using strong militaristic rhetoric and is preparing its society for war?

- Reconciliation and confidence building is the backbone to resolving any conflict, and I think that this in itself can help change the rhetoric.Communications is an important and powerful political tool, and I think that people sometimes underestimate the role of words.I hope to discuss this with both sides to promote restraint from inflammatory rhetoric.

- What can the parties to the conflict expect from your visit to the region?

- I have visited the South Caucasus numerous times, most recently in the spring of 2010 when I served as President of the OSCE PA, so I have good networks and connections on which to base my work.I hope to be able to continue discussions in all three countries on regional developments, especially with regards to the unresolved conflicts.My mandate includes regular reports to the OSCE PA and its President, and I will need to hear all sides to be able to prepare well balanced feedback.I think there is a need to promote broader discussion in the Assembly about the conflicts, and I hope that my visits to the region will help ensure those discussions take place.