The United States welcomes Russia's steps on solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and looks forward to work with it in this direction, Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.
He noted that the Nagorno-Karabakh has been a major topic for discussion during the OSCE Astana summit and the OSCE Minsk Group together with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia made a statement on the matter. "We express concern about the contradictions and conflicts that occur in the region recently. This is a dangerous situation, which stresses the need for our intensive efforts to achieve progress," Gordon said.
Gordon noted the role of Russia in solving problems, not agreeing with claims that the U.S. shows "little interest" in Nagorno-Karabakh. "Yes, Russia played an active role in this process, and we hope that it, like the U.S., wants to achieve an agreement based on the key principles of the OSCE Minsk Group," Gordon said. He also stressed that Washington "is in constant contact with all parties and is very interested in resolving this conflict".
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and 7 surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group - Russia, France, and the U.S. - are currently holding the peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.