  OSCE Minsk Group hopes for serious talks on Karabakh settlement February 16, 2015 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs expect serious negotiations with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on the Karabakh settlement, the U.S. Co-Chair said in his Twitter post. "We expect serious talks with President Aliyev and others about steps towards a peaceful settlement in Nagorno Karabakh. All can benefit," James Warlick tweeted. On Feb16, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs began their visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports. During the visit, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs James Warlick (U.S.), Igor Popov (Russia) and Pierre Andre (France) will hold talks in Baku. The talks will also be held with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov, during which the sides will discuss the issues of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. On Feb17, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs will leave for Yerevan and then for Nagorno Karabakh. The U.S., Russian and French mediators on Jan 27 voiced serious concern at Azerbaijani armed incursions reported by the Armenian side and urged Azerbaijan to seek only a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, RFE/RL Armenian Service reports. The three diplomats co-heading the OSCE Minsk Group met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Krakow, Poland to discuss upsurge of fighting in the conflict zone that has left at least a dozen soldiers from both sides dead. In an ensuing joint statement, they seemed to hold Baku primarily responsible for the latest escalation. “We expressed to the Minister our serious concern about reported incursions across the Line of Contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, resulting in casualties,” read the statement. “The rise in violence that began last year must stop for confidence to be restored and progress to be made in the Nagorno Karabakh peace process. We called on Azerbaijan to observe its commitments to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.” “We also call on Armenia to take all measures to reduce tensions. All sides must abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement. Violence undermines efforts to bring about peace,” said the Minsk Group co-chairs. “We reminded the Minister of our mandates and expressed concern about voices critical of the ongoing negotiation process, the role of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, and the duties of OSCE monitors,” they added in an apparent reference to periodical criticism of the mediators voiced by Azerbaijani leaders.   Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says.   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan.Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush.Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan.Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. |
