New OSCE Minsk Group U.S. co-chair meets Armenia’s leadership

PanARMENIAN.Net - The new U.S. co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick met Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan during his visit to Yerevan.

At the meeting, the Foreign Minister expressed hope for Warlick’s major diplomatic experience to contribute to the Karabakh conflict settlement. He further stressed Armenia’s determination to pursue peaceful solution to the issue based on the principles offered by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

Situation at the line of contact was discussed during the meeting with the Defense Minister, with the necessity to observe the ceasefire, reduce tension at contact line and boost trust between the conflicting parties stressed.

Earlier, at a Baku-hosted briefing, Warlick urged to find a way to achieve piece and prosperity in the region on the threshold of the 20th anniversary of ceasefire.

"It's time for the Minsk Group, Azerbaijan, Armenia and other countries in the region to take necessary steps to achieve a lasting peace in Karabakh," Azeri media quoted the co-chair as saying.

"I'm here to better understand the situation. I'm not here for the past, I'm here to help build a conflict-free future," the co-chair said, expressing hope for the conflicting parties to realize that the settlement will be to everyone's benefit.

The co-chair will next travel to Stepanakert to meet the Nagrono Karabakh Republic’s leadership.