The Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic President Bako Sahakyan met Friday, Sept 13, with the newly appointed U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlick.

President Sahakyan congratulated ambassador Warlick on assuming the post and wished him every success.

The meeting focused on the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and the ways to resolve it through peaceful means.

President Sahakyan noted that the biggest obstacle to the conflict settlement is the destructive policy of official Baku, which becomes a threat to the regional peace and stability.

Artsakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Karen Mirzoyan and other officials attended the meeting.

“Our goal is to open the channels of communication. And that's why I'm here - to listen and learn. And I appreciate very much the opportunity to see a beautiful Nagorno Karabakh,” ambassador Warlick said. “I am here to see the possibilies to achieve stable and lasting peace, as well establishment of mutual trust between the people.”

On Sept 12, the diplomat met in Yerevan with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, Foreign Minsiter Edward Nalbandian and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan.

“I seek to hear every side and their approach to the problem as well as familiarize myself with the situation before I return here with my colleagues,” he told a news conference that followed the meetings.

“I hope for partnership with the Russian co-chair in the conflict settlement efforts,” he said, refusing, however, to comment on whether Armenia’s joining the Customs Union will affect America’s further steps.

The diplomat also urged for political will, compromise and the acknowledgement that the fate of the generations depends on the outcome of the issue in the settlement of the conflict.