The format of the OSCE MG Co-Chairs on Karabakh peace process is unlikely to undergo any changes, James Warlick, US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, said at a press conference in Yerevan on April 9.
When asked about the negative influence of Turkey as a Minsk Group member on the Karabakh conflict settlement process, Ambassador Warlick recalled that the OSCE Minsk Group recently held an enlarged meeting in Vienna and released a statement on the Karabakh problem, urging the parties to cease the fire and commit to peace. Turkey also joined that statement, he said, adding that the Minsk Group is equally working with all its members.
To recall, on April 5, Representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group countries released the following statement: "Representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group countries (Russian Federation, the United States of America, France, Belarus, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Turkey), as well as the incoming Austrian OSCE Chair (2017) and the Serbian OSCE Chair (2015), strongly condemn the outbreak of unprecedented violence along the Line of Contact. We extend our condolences to all affected families. We urge the sides to cease using force immediately. There is no military solution to the conflict. The deterioration of the situation on the ground demonstrates the need for an immediate negotiation, under the auspices of the Co-chairs, on a comprehensive settlement. The representatives of the Minsk Group member states affirm their support for the Russian, American, and French Co-Chairs' mediation efforts and welcome their plans to undertake direct consultations with the sides as soon as possible."