MOSCOW The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have confirmed their commitment to a peaceful resolution to the dispute over ownership of Karabakh, Interfax reported. A joint statment by presidents Robert Kocharian of Armenia and Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan, made public after a 90-minute meeting in Moscow, Tuesday, said the pair were prepared to observe faithfully the cease-fire established in May 1994".

The two leaders stressed that they were resolved to a peaceful resolution by political means, through the continuation of talks within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group - an allusion to mediation led by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The Azerbaijani Republic and the Republic of Armenia express their readiness to facilitate the activities of the Minsk Conference co-chairmen and their representatives aimed at real progress in the settlement of the conflict, their statement said.

After the statement was read, Kocharian said that he and his Azerberbaijani counterpart wanted to resolve the conflict in every aspect, not just the armed conflict. He and Aliev had a truly frank exchange on numerous issues, he said. The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan had a fruitful talk and exchanged views on numerous issues, Aliyev added. (AFP)