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JAMES WARLICK: WE ARE WORKING TO PREPARE A SUBSTANTIVE AGENDA FOR PRESIDENTS NEXT MEETING - "WE HOPE TO BRING THE TWO FOREIGN MINISTERS TOGETHER AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME"
Azeri-Press news agency (APA)
March 12, 2015 Thursday
U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlicks interview with APA
How do you characterize the situation on the line of contact after
you last visit to the region?
The situation along the Line of Contact remains tense, but has
stabilized since the end of January. We urge the sides to strictly
adhere to the ceasefire to create a more conducive atmosphere for
peace negotiations. Also, with religious holidays, commemorations,
and other events in the region, it is in the interest of the parties
to maintain a period of quiet.
You stated that the main purpose of the visit was to call on the
sides of the conflict to keep ceasefire? Did you sound any specific
proposals during the visit?
The Presidents confirmed their commitment to the peaceful resolution
of the conflict, and they agreed to consider proposals to strengthen
the ceasefire. Our proposals would reduce the likelihood of incidents
that could lead to an escalation of tensions. We are hopeful that
the sides can agree to these and other measures.
During your last visit to the region you met with Red Cross
representatives. Before that Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland
called on Armenia to make humanitarian gesture and release Azerbaijani
hostages. Are there any progress?
The two Azerbaijani citizens remain imprisoned. We reiterate our
conviction that the release of all prisoners held by the sides is an
important humanitarian gesture.
Armenia demands de-facto NK regimes (authorities) participation in the
negotiation process. How negatively it may influence on the process?
The interests of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh will have to be taken
into account in a negotiation process. This is why the Co-Chairs
travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and meet with the de facto authorities
and other members of the community.
Do you have any plans related with the two countries foreign ministers
meeting?
We hope to bring the two Foreign Ministers together at the appropriate
time, and are in close contact with them. While we believe such
dialogue is useful, it is ultimately their decision whether to meet.
In your statement you mentioned on your plans regarding the two
countries presidents meeting. Could you please tell about preparation
to this meeting and when it may take place? During your last interview
you stated that you do not want meeting for show. What are you planning
to do in order to avoid meetings for show?
At the Paris Summit in October 2014, the Presidents committed to
intensify their dialogue this year. They reaffirmed their readiness
to meet later this year during the Co-Chairs recent trip to the region.
We are working with the Foreign Ministers to prepare a substantive
agenda for the Presidents next meeting in order to narrow differences
between the sides on the key issues of a settlement.
From: Baghdasarian
Azeri-Press news agency (APA)
March 12, 2015 Thursday
U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, James Warlicks interview with APA
How do you characterize the situation on the line of contact after
you last visit to the region?
The situation along the Line of Contact remains tense, but has
stabilized since the end of January. We urge the sides to strictly
adhere to the ceasefire to create a more conducive atmosphere for
peace negotiations. Also, with religious holidays, commemorations,
and other events in the region, it is in the interest of the parties
to maintain a period of quiet.
You stated that the main purpose of the visit was to call on the
sides of the conflict to keep ceasefire? Did you sound any specific
proposals during the visit?
The Presidents confirmed their commitment to the peaceful resolution
of the conflict, and they agreed to consider proposals to strengthen
the ceasefire. Our proposals would reduce the likelihood of incidents
that could lead to an escalation of tensions. We are hopeful that
the sides can agree to these and other measures.
During your last visit to the region you met with Red Cross
representatives. Before that Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland
called on Armenia to make humanitarian gesture and release Azerbaijani
hostages. Are there any progress?
The two Azerbaijani citizens remain imprisoned. We reiterate our
conviction that the release of all prisoners held by the sides is an
important humanitarian gesture.
Armenia demands de-facto NK regimes (authorities) participation in the
negotiation process. How negatively it may influence on the process?
The interests of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh will have to be taken
into account in a negotiation process. This is why the Co-Chairs
travel to Nagorno-Karabakh and meet with the de facto authorities
and other members of the community.
Do you have any plans related with the two countries foreign ministers
meeting?
We hope to bring the two Foreign Ministers together at the appropriate
time, and are in close contact with them. While we believe such
dialogue is useful, it is ultimately their decision whether to meet.
In your statement you mentioned on your plans regarding the two
countries presidents meeting. Could you please tell about preparation
to this meeting and when it may take place? During your last interview
you stated that you do not want meeting for show. What are you planning
to do in order to avoid meetings for show?
At the Paris Summit in October 2014, the Presidents committed to
intensify their dialogue this year. They reaffirmed their readiness
to meet later this year during the Co-Chairs recent trip to the region.
We are working with the Foreign Ministers to prepare a substantive
agenda for the Presidents next meeting in order to narrow differences
between the sides on the key issues of a settlement.
From: Baghdasarian