ArmInfo. "We continue to support an OSCE investigative mechanism as an important element in ensuring respect for the ceasefire as negotiations that can lead to a settlement proceed. We are committed to the development of a sound plan and continue to raise it with the sides and in Vienna," Ambassador James Warlick, US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, says in an interview with Aravot, when asked whether this issue has become secondary to the mediators and has been removed from the agenda.
When asked whether after the 4-day war in April the parties are now discussing the issue of recognizing the status of NK, the US Co-Chair replies: "It is important to understand that a settlement needs to address many elements. These include status for Nagorno-Karabakh, but also the return of territory to Azerbaijan's control, the deployment of international peacekeepers, the return of IDPs and refugees, the restoration of infrastructure and telecommunication links, and other issues. We believe an honest public discussion about status is a helpful step."
As regards the question about discrepancies between Russia and the West concerning the Karabakh settlement, Ambassador Warlick says, "The channel for mediation of the conflict accepted by the parties is through the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs. Russia, France, and the U.S. have made clear that we are committed to working together to help find a peaceful settlement. We have worked together on the proposals and ideas under discussion, and will continue to cooperate closely."
He also expresses hope that the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will meet at an early opportunity to discuss the key issues. "There is no substitute for such face-to-face talks, but the decision of when and where rests with them," he notes.
To recall, on May 16, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Secretary of State of the United States of America John Kerry, and State Secretary for European Affairs of France Harlem Desir, representing the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group, met with President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Vienna to advance a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. They reiterated that there can be no military solution to the conflict. The Co- Chairs insisted on the importance of respecting the 1994 and 1995 ceasefire agreements. The Presidents reiterated their commitment to the ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the conflict. To reduce the risk of further violence, they agreed to finalize in the shortest possible time an OSCE investigative mechanism. The Presidents also agreed to the expansion of the existing Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson in Office. Finally, they agreed to continue the exchange of data on missing persons under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to which the Presidents committed during the Paris summit of October 2014. The Presidents agreed on a next round of talks, to be held in June at a place to be mutually agreed, with an aim to resuming negotiations on a comprehensive settlement.
On June 20 2016, the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia met in Saint Petersburg at the behest of Vladimir Putin. Reaching a settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was the subject of discussion at the meeting, which took place behind closed doors. Following the consultations, the presidents of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan adopted a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to normalizing the situation on the line of contact and giving their approval to an increase in the number of OSCE observers working in the conflict zone. The joint statement also expresses the parties' commitment to putting in place the conditions required for steady progress in negotiations on a political settlement to the conflict. The presidents made a point of their regular contacts on Karabakh and agree to continue them in such format as addition to the efforts by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs who were invited to the final stage of the meeting in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that the investigative mechanisms at the present stage of the settlement are irrelevant and the issue can be discussed after "withdrawal of Armenian troops from the NKR". He also stressed that the Office of the OSCE CiO Personal Representative can be expanded by no more than 12-13 people.