The Council of Europe (CE) Political Committee held discussions on Nagorny Karabakh. Terry Davis, the newly elected CE Secretary General, presented his report on the issue. According to a member of the CE Parliamentary Assembly representation in Azerbaijan Asim Mollazade, who attended the meeting, Mr. Davis said in his statement that Azerbaijani territories are under occupation and underlined that Azerbaijan is included into the United Nations (UN) together with Nagorny Karabakh. In his speech at the Council of Europe on 23 June Armenian President Kocharyan maintained that `Karabakh has never been part of independent Azerbaijan`.

He said that at the time of collapse of the Soviet Union two states were allegedly formed: the Azerbaijani Republic on the territory of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic and the Republic of Nagorny Karabakh on the territory of the Nagorny Karabakh Autonomous Region. Mr. Mollazade said that the report presented by Mr. Davis disclosed Kocharyan`s attempt to deceive the Council of Europe and the entire international community. Mr. Davis said talks on settling the conflict are underway. He went on to say that the last elections in Azerbaijan and Armenia led to a delay in the talks. He also spoke of the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Speaking at the meeting, Mollazade stated that the biggest obstacle to settling the Karabakh conflict is Kocharyan himself, as he is not interested in a settlement meeting international legal norms. `The policy pursued by Armenia and Kocharyan is based on an aspiration to acquire legal and political support for occupation`, he concluded. Mr. Davis`s written report on Nagorny Karabakh is expected to be discussed at the CE Political Committee on September 14. Although Davis will prepare the report

himself, the Committee chairman Yakich will most likely present it. The report will be discussed at the PACE January session.