Sargsyan Satisfied with Results of Meeting, Aliyev�s Opinion Not Sounded Yet

Baku / 17.10.17 / Turan: A few minutes after the end of the meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Geneva on Monday, Serge Sargsyan made a statement on the results of the talks.

Speaking to representatives of the Armenian community of Switzerland, he said there was no specific agreement on options for solving the problem.

"But we agreed to take measures to further weaken the tension in order to avoid casualties on the front line. I must say, both the Azerbaijani President and I are deeply interested in this," Sargsyan said.

Further, he began to comment on Aliyev"s behavior, hinting that the situation may change. "God grant that he would always think so. He also understands the complexity of the problem very well, and of course, I do realize it, too, but the problem is that there will never be an easy solution," the Armenian President said.

However, further he made quite a clear statement, which only could aggravate the situation.

"I want you all to be sure: for us there is no solution that can in any way violate the security of Karabakh. For us, the only solution is that Karabakh should be outside of Azerbaijan. Never any Armenian leader can take a different decision or implement it, and for this we will do everything," he said.

However, such a stiff position means something else: Sargsyan did not say anything about the areas around Karabakh. Indirectly this may mean Armenia"s readiness to release five regions, as the Minsk Group co-chairs suggested earlier. That once again means a gradual settlement is on the agenda.

In this case, it is important not only what the Armenian side is willing to do, but what compromise Baku is prepared for.

It seems Aliyev"s silence after the meeting with Sargsyan is connected with this. It is difficult to assume that the Head of State will agree with the Armenian President. However, it is not the best way to remain silent.

Therefore, Aliyev"s first statement on the outcome of the Geneva meeting will be of great importance, and it will be particularly eagerly awaited more in Yerevan than in Baku.-02B-