Azernews.Az

By Rashid Shirinov

It is important to continue positive momentum in the peace process over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick told Trend on August 3.

The diplomat stressed that the co-chair countries are committed to continuing dialogue between presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia, adding that the co-chairmen explore the possibility of organizing the next meeting of the heads of two countries.

“Although we have no specific plans to travel to the region at this time, we are in regular contact with the sides to prepare for the next presidential meeting,” said Warlick.

U.S. co-chair claimed that the meetings in Vienna and St. Petersburg achieved certain results in reducing violence on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops: “The negotiation process is restored and agreement to reduce the risks of violence was reached.”

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.

Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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