Friday, February 12 2016 08:00

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will submit proposals on the opportunities for reducing the risk of border clashes and for promoting the dialogue in the Karabakh-Azerbaijani contact line and on Armenian-Azerbaijani border, U.S.  Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick said in an interview with Armenpress State News Agency also referring to the possible visit to the region and the organization of the possible meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. 

As for the statement by Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian saying that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs may visit the region within the coming days, Warlick said: "The Co- Chairs do not have any immediate plans to visit the region, although we hope to visit the region in the near future. Our aim is to discuss opportunities to move negotiations on a settlement forward. We will also raise proposals to reduce the risk of violence and possibilities to promote dialogue". 

In response to the question about the situation after PACE discussed two Anti-Armenian reports and the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group issued a statement urging not to make any steps that could undermine the Minsk Group's mandate from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe or complicate ongoing negotiations, Warlick said: "We do not object to a discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in regional and international organizations, and we support Azerbaijan and Armenia's right to raise the issue as they choose. The Co-Chairs wanted to emphasize that the Minsk Group remains the negotiation format accepted by the sides. We hope Armenia and Azerbaijan will remain fully committed to working closely with the Co- Chairs on a negotiated settlement". 

As for Azerbaijan's discontent at that Statement and its efforts to drive the issue beyond the Minsk Group format, Warlick said: "The Co-Chairs serve in our capacity as mediators at the request of the sides. We will continue our efforts to help mediate a lasting settlement as long as the sides believe our services our helpful. It is the Presidents who must demonstrate the political will necessary to bring about a settlement.The Presidents hold the keys to a settlement in their hands. We would like to facilitate an intensified dialogue and more structured negotiations so they can make progress."