OSCE MG Co-chair: we are not asking people to make sacrifices

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick believes that the 90-minute conversation between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Vienna was a good news.

“They were able to talk to each other seriously about the issues and they came out of that, both sides believing that they could work with each other and that there is a way forward,” amb. Warlick said in an interview with RFE/RL Armenian Service.

“And that was good news for all of us and certainly the good news for the people of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. And what we look forward is to that dialogue continuing, because that’s the way that we can find the way towards peaceful settlement finally. And it really is up to the two presidents. If they have the political will to settle this, to work with each other and find the way forward, then it will happen and the Minsk Group is there to help facilitate the process,” he said.

Asked what is the most difficult issue during these discussions, Mr. Warlick said: “Well, as you know there are a number of very difficult issues that need to be addressed. There is a reason that this conversation has been ongoing now for 20 years since the ceasefire. These are difficult issues, but, in fact, I believe that both sides can find a way forward that, in fact, helps both sides, that both sides can see a way forward to a settlement that, in fact, no one loses and everyone gains. And with any negotiation that is what we hope for. Not that people – either the people of Nagorno Karabakh or Armenia, or Azerbaijan – make sacrifices. No, we are not asking that. What we hope is that the sides, all parties will find it in their interest to have a durable, peaceful settlement to this longstanding conflict.”

“No one wants war. That’s the thing. And we are in a situation now when there is neither peace nor war. The people deserve better than they have now, and finding a way to a durable settlement is the way. As I’ve said to others, this could bring a new era of prosperity in the region, this is a conflict that can be resolved, and I truly hope that political leaders can find a way for the sake of the people,” he said.