Armenian, Azerbaijani Presidents seek to intensify talks: U.S. diplomatSeptember 12, 2015 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-chair commented on the readiness of the peoples of the Caucasus region to the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict in an interview with the Voice of America. As James Warlick noted, people are ready for peace, the question being whether the heads of states have the political will to reach a negotiated settlement. He said the mediators want to help achieve a negotiated settlement and a lasting peace. “Time for peace has arrived, and I think people will welcome the prosperity that peace will bring to the region,” Warlick said. According to Warlick, Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents told the Co-chairs they want to intensify the negotiations. The international mediators and foreign ministers of the two countries will meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to prepare the next round of talks between Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev. Warlick, however, remained deeply concerned about the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. He stressed the necessity of maintaining ceasefire to reach a settlement. The mediator also noted that the United States supports the confidence-building measures and is willing to work with the parties to achieve the goal. "We have long supported the introduction of an OSCE investigative mechanism, and hope Azerbaijan will also be willing to adopt it," the diplomat said. The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. |