OSCE MG turns blind eye to ongoing Azeri aggression

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group hope to organize another meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the beginning of the next year.

“The current visit is a part of our schedule,” U.S. Co-chair James Warlick said in an interview with Turan news agency in Baku, before arriving in Armenia. “We have organized a presidential meeting in Vienna and expect the next meeting in early 2014.”

Asked when and where the next round of presidential talks may take place, amb. Warlick said the exact date and venue are not known yet. “The Foreign Ministers are holding discussions and we hope things will get clear soon,” he said.

According to Warlick, the positive results of the presidential talks in Vienna have become vivid and led to decrease of incidents at the line of contact. The leaders softened their statements, what is “extremely important for establishment of a dialogue, reduction of the number of casualties and alleviation of tensions.”

However, no word was said about Armenian soldier Hrant Poghosyan who was killed in a ceasefire violation by the Azeri armed forces. “The incident that left Hrant Poghosyan dead is another proof of continuing Azeri policy of ceasefire violation, despite the calls of the Co-chairs, during their visit to Baku. Armenian armed forces will take harsh preventive measures to curb the Azeri aggression,” the Armenian Defense Ministry said in a statement after the soldier's death.

Asked whether there are any new proposals which could give an impulse to the negotiations held on the basis of Madrid Principles, the diplomat said, “Of course, we welcome new ideas. But it’s up to the parties how to resolve this issue. Our task is to help them realize their plans.”

As to Turkey’s wish to interfere in the settlement process and possible developments in case of opening of the Armenian-Turkish border, Warlick said it’s beyond his competence; however, Turkey “can have some role one day.”