Envoy pledges active involvement of U.S. in Karabakh conflict settlement

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. is currently more actively involved in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, than in past years, the U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan, Richard Morningstar said, according to Trend News.

The ambassador made the remarks speaking at a meeting with students of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy.

"We strive to resolve the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, to work more closely with the government. A positive meeting was held between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in November last year, and the continuation of these meetings is important," he said.

Vienna hosted the first meeting in 2 years between Armenian and Azeri Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Ilam Aliyev November 19, 2013.

The diplomat stressed that the parties are discussing more specific issues in order to solve the conflict.

"We will do everything possible to resolve this conflict," he said.

Meanwhile, a member of the Canadian House of Commons Jim Karygiannis issued a statement urging the Azeri government to respect ceasefire.

"I want to express my concerns regarding the frequent ceasefire violations along the border of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. These incidents have resulted in the tragic loss of life. Recently, an Armenian soldier, Armen Hovhannisyan, was shot and killed by Azeri troops.

At present, the envoys of the Minsk Group of countries are visiting the region and these violations serve only to complicate their work. As we are on the eve of a meeting of the foreign affairs ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Paris, it is essential that both sides exercise restraint and control of their militaries to ensure a productive atmosphere for this meeting and for the important work of the Minsk Group.

Canada has always been, and will continue to be, a supporter of peace talks between the parties. The OSCE Minsk Group should be the only venue for the resolution of this conflict. I am asking that we work to ensure that no future aggressive actions, such as the recent one by the Azeri military along the border, take place so that negotiations toward peace can continue constructively," the MP said.

In late January, a Nagorno Karabakh army soldier, Karen Galstyan, aged 20, sustained a deadly injury in a sniper attack at the northern direction of the line of contact with the Azerbaijani armed forces.

Meanwhile, Azeri media outlets spread reports alleging that a woman was wounded by Armenians. However, no official comments followed.