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Joint Statement by the Heads of Delegation of the Minsk Group Co-Chair
countries
armradio.am
17.07.2010 14:35
The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries,
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, Foreign
Minister of France Bernard Kouchner, and Deputy Secretary of State of
the United States James Steinberg, released the following statement
today:
The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries,
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, Foreign
Minister of France Bernard Kouchner, and Deputy Secretary of State of
the United States James Steinberg met on the margins of the OSCE
Informal Ministerial with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov and Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian in
Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The Heads of Delegation of the Co-Chair countries recalled the joint
statement on Nagorno-Karabakh of December 1, 2009 at the OSCE
Ministerial meeting in Athens and reminded the sides of their
commitment to seek a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict based on the principles contained in the Helsinki Final Act,
particularly those related to refraining from the threat or use of
force, the territorial integrity of states, and the equal rights and
self determination of peoples. They reiterated that the elements
articulated by Presidents Medvedev, Sarkozy, and Obama on July 10,
2009 at L'Aquila and repeated at Muskoka on June 26, 2010 must be the
foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the conflict. These
proposed elements have been conceived as an integrated whole, and any
attempt to select some elements over others would make it impossible
to achieve a balanced solution. Foreign Minister Kouchner and Deputy
Secretary Steinberg expressed appreciation for the efforts of
President Medvedev and Foreign Minister Lavrov to bridge the
differences between the parties, taking into consideration the
positions discussed during the meetings in Sochi on January 25, 2010
and in St. Petersburg on June 17, 2010.
The Heads of Delegation of Russia, France, and the United States
stressed that the efforts made so far by the parties to the conflict
have not been sufficient to overcome their differences. They deplored
recent developments which have increased tension in the region,
including the serious armed incident of June 18-19, 2010 and
inflammatory public statements. They warned that the use of force
created the current situation, and its use again would only lead to
suffering, devastation, and a legacy of conflict and hostility that
would last for generations. They urged a greater spirit of compromise
to reach agreement on a common basis for continuing the negotiations.
Additional actions by the sides are needed to reinforce the ceasefire
of 1994 and to create a more favorable atmosphere for further
political dialogue and reaching agreements.
The Heads of Delegation of the Co-Chair countries renewed their
commitment to support the sides in reaching a peace agreement, but
reiterated that the primary responsibility to put an end to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains with Azerbaijani and Armenian
leaders.
From: A. Papazian
countries
armradio.am
17.07.2010 14:35
The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries,
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, Foreign
Minister of France Bernard Kouchner, and Deputy Secretary of State of
the United States James Steinberg, released the following statement
today:
The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries,
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Lavrov, Foreign
Minister of France Bernard Kouchner, and Deputy Secretary of State of
the United States James Steinberg met on the margins of the OSCE
Informal Ministerial with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar
Mammadyarov and Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian in
Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The Heads of Delegation of the Co-Chair countries recalled the joint
statement on Nagorno-Karabakh of December 1, 2009 at the OSCE
Ministerial meeting in Athens and reminded the sides of their
commitment to seek a peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict based on the principles contained in the Helsinki Final Act,
particularly those related to refraining from the threat or use of
force, the territorial integrity of states, and the equal rights and
self determination of peoples. They reiterated that the elements
articulated by Presidents Medvedev, Sarkozy, and Obama on July 10,
2009 at L'Aquila and repeated at Muskoka on June 26, 2010 must be the
foundation of any fair and lasting settlement to the conflict. These
proposed elements have been conceived as an integrated whole, and any
attempt to select some elements over others would make it impossible
to achieve a balanced solution. Foreign Minister Kouchner and Deputy
Secretary Steinberg expressed appreciation for the efforts of
President Medvedev and Foreign Minister Lavrov to bridge the
differences between the parties, taking into consideration the
positions discussed during the meetings in Sochi on January 25, 2010
and in St. Petersburg on June 17, 2010.
The Heads of Delegation of Russia, France, and the United States
stressed that the efforts made so far by the parties to the conflict
have not been sufficient to overcome their differences. They deplored
recent developments which have increased tension in the region,
including the serious armed incident of June 18-19, 2010 and
inflammatory public statements. They warned that the use of force
created the current situation, and its use again would only lead to
suffering, devastation, and a legacy of conflict and hostility that
would last for generations. They urged a greater spirit of compromise
to reach agreement on a common basis for continuing the negotiations.
Additional actions by the sides are needed to reinforce the ceasefire
of 1994 and to create a more favorable atmosphere for further
political dialogue and reaching agreements.
The Heads of Delegation of the Co-Chair countries renewed their
commitment to support the sides in reaching a peace agreement, but
reiterated that the primary responsibility to put an end to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still remains with Azerbaijani and Armenian
leaders.
From: A. Papazian