According to the Azeri "Trend" news service, Miguel Ankhel Moratinos, Spain's Foreign Minister and President of the Council of Europe's Presidents Committee, declared during a recent interview that he can help spur dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia and create an atmosphere of mutual confidence. At the same time "Trend" reports that Mr. Moratinos stated, "I do not think that the Council of Europe should become the ideal forum for the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. There are other forums for this purpose." He specifically noted that all efforts will be used to create a suitable environment for Armenian-Azeri political and diplomatic affairs. "I believe that we are closer to this than in the past. I call on both sides to continue the dialogue needed to resolve the Karabakh conflict."