OSCE MG co-chair: Russia, U.S. closely cooperate in Nagorno-Karabakh issue
By Rashid Shirinov
Despite the current disagreements between Russia and the United States, the two countries closely cooperate over a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Richard Hoagland said.
The diplomat noted that despite the differences in the national interests of the U.S. and Russia, as well as different approaches to the ongoing developments in the world, both countries can work jointly on the issues such as Nagorno-Karabakh, Day. Az reported with reference to the Voice of America on May 10.
The ambassador added that Moscow, just like Washington and Paris, wants peace in South Caucasus. “Moscow does not want war between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is contrary to Russia’s interests and can destabilize the entire region,” Hoagland noted.
Russia along with the U.S. and France is a co-chair country of the Minsk Group established to broker a peace to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict for over two decades, 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.
Hoagland further stressed that all three co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have closely cooperated to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Karabakh conflict, even during a sharp deterioration in U.S.-Russian relations.
The diplomat said that the co-chairs are trying to resume full-fledged negotiations between the parties to the conflict by bringing them to the negotiating table.
“The time has come for a real compromise settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and from which the sides will benefit,” the ambassador said, adding that after the resolution of the conflict the region will benefit from all kinds of opportunities – development of communication, transportation and reduction of isolation.
The co-chair added that, in his view, Washington needs to get more actively involved in the Karabakh peace process. “ However, the new U.S. administration is just beginning to develop its foreign policy and team, and therefore we need to be a little patient and watch the development in the coming months,” he noted.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict 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 regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
Meanwhile, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian reported that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are expected to visit the region soon. He added that after the visit it will be decided whether there is a need for the meeting of foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Last time the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group visited region in March 2017 to get acquainted with the real situation on the ground. The co-chairs met with the presidents and foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia and also visited territories around Nagorno-Karabakh.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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