Yerevan, 22 October 1997 (RFE/RL) -- The president of the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh said differences between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh on how to settle the conflict with Azerbaijan "to a certain extent" hamper the peace process. Arkadi Ghukasyan, speaking to our correspondent in Yerevan, however did not elaborate.
Arkadi Ghukasyan also said the international community gives Armenia disproportionately great importance in its peace efforts, while it was Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan rather than Armenia that are supposed to make mutual concessions.
Armenia recently approved a new OSCE plan that envisages delaying a decision on the region's status until the last phase of the negotiations. Nagorno-Karabakh still insists on the so-called package settlement involving a single comprehensive peace accord. Ghukasyan, who met earlier this week with Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, said Ter-Petrosyan did not rule out a package solution in spite of his preference for the step-by-step approach.
Armenia recently approved a new OSCE plan that envisages delaying a decision on the region's status until the last phase of the negotiations. Nagorno-Karabakh still insists on the so-called package settlement involving a single comprehensive peace accord. Ghukasyan, who met earlier this week with Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, said Ter-Petrosyan did not rule out a package solution in spite of his preference for the step-by-step approach.