Peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is of great importance for the entire region, James Warlick, the OSCE Minsk Group’s US co-chair, said in Baku Oct. 28.
Warlick said peace must be achieved for future generations, noting that peace will bring benefit to both peoples.
He went on to add that the peoples of Azerbaijan and Armenia should establish contacts to get to know each other.
Further noting that he doesn’t understand the criticism of the OSCE Minks Group’s co-chairs, Warlick said the co-chairs are doing everything they can to solve the conflict.
He also said the important thing is the steps taken by the heads of states, but not the statements by the co-chairs.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries 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 districts.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council’s four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
Edited by CN
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