“The Germans have committed themselves to supporting the co-chairs in our efforts to mediate a negotiated settlement to the conflict,” said Warlick.
He pointed out that at the OSCE Ministerial Council held in Belgrade on Dec.3-4, the co-chairs had the opportunity to meet with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Elmar Mammadyarov and Edward Nalbandian to finalize plans for a summit meeting of the two countries’ presidents.
“We believe that the time has come – after more than one year – for the presidents to meet face-to-face for a constructive discussion on the way forward,” said Warlick.
Commenting on Russia’s new proposals on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he said that there are proposals under consideration by the sides that have the full support of the co-chairs.
Earlier, following the visit of Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the region, Mammadyarov said that Russia made proposals on settling the conflict.
“Minister Lavrov brings considerable experience as a mediator in the conflict and we welcome his involvement and commitment to working with the co-chairs,” said Warlick.
“Our shared goal is to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict in the interest of all people in the region,” the US co-chair added.
He pointed out that the US remains committed to helping bring an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
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.
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