YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, NOYAN TAPAN. Vice Speaker of the RA National Assembly Arevik Petrosian and representatives of the parliamentary factions met on February 16 with the delegation headed by OSCE Chairman-in-Office, State Secretary and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Kanat Saudabayev. A. Petrosian said that K. Saudabayev's visit will provide an opportunity to become acquainted with regional problems on the spot and discuss numerous issues, which are of mutual interest and are related to Armenia-OSCE relations. In her words, Armenia attaches special importance to cooperation with OSCE which assumed an important role in the Karabakh conflict settlement. She expressed a hope that during Kazakhstan's OSCE Chairmanship, steps on peaceful coexistence and peaceful resolution of the conflicts in the region will be taken. A. Petrosian expressed a high opinion about the efforts that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs make for the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. She underlined the Karabakh people's legitimate demand for the internationally recognized right of self-determination to form the basis for the Karabakh conflict settlement. K. Saudabayev said that the purpose of his visit is to learn the opinions of Armenian political forces about the Karabakh conflict settlement because in case of good will and compromise of the conflict parties, a final solution of the problem is possible, while the international organizations and the countries concerned about this problem can only assist with its solution. According to the press service of the RA National Assembly, representatives of the NA factions inmformed the OSCE Chairman-in-Office about opinions regarding the Karabakh conflict settlement. In the words of Aram Safarian, Secretary of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) faction, the Karabakh problem should be solved based on three internationally recognized principles, with special importance attached to the right of self-determination. Head of the ARF faction Vahan Hovhannisian expressed an opinion that the principle of territorial integrity should be applied in the event that a country interferes in affairs of another country. However, if a national and territorial formation within a country seeks a way to live independently - as in the case of Nagorno Karabakh, then the principle of self-determination should be applied. V. Hovhannisian also proposed that the OSCE Chairman-in-Office organize monitoring of democractic institutions in Nagorno Karabakh which would be the best step to solve the problem. Head of Heritage faction Stepan Safarian said that their faction has a definite viewpoint on conflict resolution: the declaration of Nagorno Karabakh's independence is inevitable, which should be accepted by international subjects. At the current stage, it is necessary to involve Nagorno Karabakh in the negotiations, otherwise it is impossible reach the problem's final solution. Member of RPA faction Artak Davtian underlined the importance of the role of Russia and Kazakhstan in the peaceful settlement, expressing a hope that Kazakhstan will continue to take the same approach during its chairmanship of the OSCE. K. Saudabayev stated that the solution of the Karabakh problem through peace negotiations is the only acceptable version, while the manifestation of good will by the conflict parties and their readiness to make a compromise are primary for a successful outcome.

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