Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 10
By Sabina Ahmadova - Trend:
It is important that the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia meet regularly and continue to narrow differences on elements of a settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, OSCE Minsk Group US Co-chair James Warlick told Trend Oct. 10.
He said, however, such meetings are not sufficient.
"We continue to believe that a negotiating process is needed to make progress necessary for a lasting peace," Warlick said.
Warlick said constructive talks were held in New York, referring to the recent meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, held with the participation of the OSCE Minks Group co-chairs.
"We discussed preparations for the upcoming summit in Paris, where French President Hollande will host President Sargsyan and President Aliyev," Warlick added.
He also said that the summit in Paris will take place in late October and the co-chairs look forward to being present.
"While there is not yet an agreement on the format of the meeting, we support all opportunities for the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the conflict," Warlick added.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.
As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four U.N. Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.