Basel, Switzerland, Dec. 4
By Elchin Huseynov - Trend:
The OSCE Minsk Group (MG) intends to make more efforts to achieve progress in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the OSCE Minsk Group's US co-chair, James Warlick told reporters Dec. 4 in Basel, Switzerland.
He said that in the past year there was significant progress in the negotiation process.
Warlick added that the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia met three times and made efforts to ensure a lasting dialogue to resolve the conflict, adding that however, there also were steps back.
He reminded about the escalation of tension along the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in late July - early August, when there were violations of the ceasefire and casualties.
Warlick further said there has been an incident involving the downing of an Armenian military helicopter, adding that this is a tragedy for both sides.
He also said that the OSCE Minsk Group is now trying to restore those advances in the negotiations that took place earlier in order to achieve lasting peace.
Warlick also expressed hope that the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents will agree to a new meeting, noting that however this should be their decision.
He reminded about the statement made by the presidents after a meeting in Paris, where they expressed optimism about the meeting and supported the continuation of the negotiations.
Warlick said the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs stand ready to support the presidents' new meeting.
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 US are currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Edited by SI