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OSCE MG calls for level up in negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

17 September 2014 15:33 (UTC+04:00)
OSCE MG calls for level up in negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

By Sara Rajabova

OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair James Warlick said the time has come to level up the negotiations on the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Warlick made the remarks at a press conference in Yerevan on September 16, the Armenian media reported.

He further expressed concern about the arms buildup and incidents on the line of contact between the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops.

"We are concerned about the violence that has taken place and the deaths and injuries it has caused, and if we want to find a way to lasting peace, we know that violence must stop and the ceasefire must be respected," he added.

Noting that people are frustrated, as the negotiations have been going on for twenty years now, Warlick said the war was devastating for both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

For over two decades, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict which emerged over Armenia's territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since 1994, but long-standing efforts by U.S, Russian and French mediators have been largely fruitless so far. Armenia has not implemented yet the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on its pullout from the neighboring country's territories.

"We don't ever want to see those days return. Negotiations that cover such an important issue are never easy, but as I said before, there is a window of opportunity," Warlick said.

He further said the negotiations should be brought to another level, noting that occasional meetings between presidents and foreign ministers are not enough.

"It's up to the parties to determine what that format should be and what that process should be. We are not predetermining an outcome, we are not asking any of the parties to make compromises, we are asking for a process to begin," Warlick underscored.

He went on to say that it is important that the two countries' presidents meet and continue discussions, as the final solution can be achieved only by the heads of states, and the presidents need to be responsible for their decisions.

Warlick said there are no issues that cannot be discussed, adding that the OSCE Minsk Group wants to see all the issues discussed at the level of foreign ministers and presidents.

He noted that the OSCE Minsk Group is working with the parties to achieve a consensus around those 6 main elements, which were discussed at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Warlick said it is clear that this is difficult, but work has to be carried out in this direction.

Touching upon the disagreements between the U.S. and Russia, Warlick said despite the discords, these countries are unanimous over the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"We actively collaborate with Russia and Russian co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group and try to find the path leading to peace," Warlick said.

Warlick also discussed issues related to the current stage and prospects of the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

He said the meetings continued the discussions that kicked off in Wales in early September with the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

President Ilham Aliyev, President Serzh Sargsyan and U.S. Secretary of State Kerry met on the sidelines of NATO Wales summit on September 4.

Warlick is expected to meet with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in New York in two weeks.

Warlick also said he did not want to make predictions about the expected meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents in Paris, but it is important that they try to find solution.

He noted that one of the major problems is the lack of confidence between the two parties, but leaders must meet and do their best to settle the issue.

Earlier, Warlick said the OSCE Minsk Group expects a trilateral meeting of the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and France in Paris in late October.

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