Lachin and Kelbajar were subject for talks since Key West: Sefiliyan

The situation over the Nagorno Karabakh is serious. It was serious two years ago as well, former commander of the Special Battalion of Shushi and currently the initiator of Sardarapat movement Shirer Sefilyan said in an interview with Tert.am.

"It was serious even before that. I am sure that as world powers the [OSCE] Minks Group co-chairs, as they did it before, are using the Karabakh issue not for the sake of solving it but to serve it for their interests. I think that today the situation is the same, therefore I do not expect any quick resolution," said Sefilyan.

Speaking about Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov's recent statement that the issue of returning Kovsakan (Lachin) and Karvachar (Kelbajar) provinces will be discussed in the Almaty meeting to be held on July 16-17, Sefilyan said that the issue was on the table yet in the talks in Key West.

"Since 2001 the packages put on the table after the Key West talks are similar in essence, that is to say, the essence of today's Madrid Principles, its philosophy existed also in the Key West," said he, adding that since the Key West talks not only the 5 provinces but also the Kelbajar and Lachin have been subject for negotiations.