Baku says `ready to work` with new US mediator
The government of Azerbaijan is ready to work with
the newly-appointed US mediator of an international team of
diplomats brokering settlement to the country`s long-standing
conflict with Armenia, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Elkhan
Polukhov has said.
US Department of State Secretary on Monday announced the appointment of Robert Bradtke as the next US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group. According to the US Department of State, Ambassador Bradtke brings to this position more than thirty-six years of Foreign Service experience and extensive expertise in European security policy. In July, he completed a three-year assignment as Chief of Mission at the US embassy in Zagreb, Croatia. Prior to that, he served from 2001 to 2004 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, with responsibility for NATO and the OSCE.
Bradtke, who succeeds Matthew Bryza, is due to pay his first visit to the region in the coming weeks, the State Department said.
The Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry spokesman said the replacement of the Minsk Group co-chair at this stage in peace talks will not have a considerable impact on the negotiating process.
``We suppose that, prior to appointing the new co-chair, the US side informed him about the process, so, there won`t be much need for his familiarization with the negotiating process,`` Polukhov said, recalling that the former co-chair had comprehensively briefed his successor about the situation.
The ministry spokesman highlighted that Azerbaijan`s position on the Garabagh settlement remains unchanged, saying the dispute is to be resolved strictly within the country`s territorial integrity. He added that Baku was ready to grant the highest possible level of autonomy to the region.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven adjacent Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. The United States, Russia and France are mediating peace talks through the Minsk Group, which was established at an OSCE ministerial in March 1992.
Commenting on Bradtke`s appointment, US Department of State spokesman Ian Kelly said the United States understands ``the critical importance of achieving a peaceful resolution to the Garabagh conflict.``
``We welcome recent positive dialogues between President Sarkisian of Armenia and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan,`` said Kelly. ``Secretary Clinton has indicated to the two presidents her strong interest in the Minsk Group`s ongoing efforts to bring the process to a fruitful conclusion, and the Obama administration is committed to doing everything possible to support this goal.``
US Department of State Secretary on Monday announced the appointment of Robert Bradtke as the next US co-chair of OSCE Minsk Group. According to the US Department of State, Ambassador Bradtke brings to this position more than thirty-six years of Foreign Service experience and extensive expertise in European security policy. In July, he completed a three-year assignment as Chief of Mission at the US embassy in Zagreb, Croatia. Prior to that, he served from 2001 to 2004 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, with responsibility for NATO and the OSCE.
Bradtke, who succeeds Matthew Bryza, is due to pay his first visit to the region in the coming weeks, the State Department said.
The Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry spokesman said the replacement of the Minsk Group co-chair at this stage in peace talks will not have a considerable impact on the negotiating process.
``We suppose that, prior to appointing the new co-chair, the US side informed him about the process, so, there won`t be much need for his familiarization with the negotiating process,`` Polukhov said, recalling that the former co-chair had comprehensively briefed his successor about the situation.
The ministry spokesman highlighted that Azerbaijan`s position on the Garabagh settlement remains unchanged, saying the dispute is to be resolved strictly within the country`s territorial integrity. He added that Baku was ready to grant the highest possible level of autonomy to the region.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper Garabagh and seven adjacent Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. The United States, Russia and France are mediating peace talks through the Minsk Group, which was established at an OSCE ministerial in March 1992.
Commenting on Bradtke`s appointment, US Department of State spokesman Ian Kelly said the United States understands ``the critical importance of achieving a peaceful resolution to the Garabagh conflict.``
``We welcome recent positive dialogues between President Sarkisian of Armenia and President Aliyev of Azerbaijan,`` said Kelly. ``Secretary Clinton has indicated to the two presidents her strong interest in the Minsk Group`s ongoing efforts to bring the process to a fruitful conclusion, and the Obama administration is committed to doing everything possible to support this goal.``
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