Former US ambassador to Armenia John Evans is currently in Artsakh.
It is time for Artsakh to take its place directly at the table of negotiations: John Evans
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: “Artsakhpress” had an opportunity to talk with John Evans. The interview is presented below.
- Mr. Ambassador, will you tell us why you are here today?
- I am here at the invitation of Chairman of the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) Garo Armen. Although I left the post of the US ambassador in Armenia, I could not reject Garo Armen’s invitation. After the events of the early April, knowing already that the Children of Armenia Fund was interested in expanding its activities here, I got together with Garo Armen and we decided to come and look for possibilities for expanding activities. I must say we had a very warm welcome here and very fine meetings with the government. I think we have prospects for deep cooperation in future.
-As an American diplomat, what do you think about the Karabakh conflict negotiation process? What is necessary for achievement of serious progress?
– I am not directly involved in negotiation process. I have great respect for James Warlick. I always follow the negotiation process conducted by my colleagues, including Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Lavrov, who always emphasizes that the conflict should be resolved peacefully. Under the ceasefire agreement signed in 1994, Artsakh as a full party to the negotiations, also put its signature. I think the time is approaching when Karabakh should take its place directly at the table of negotiations in the same format. Only in this case conditions for progress will be provided.
Remind, John Evans visited Artsakh within the framework of the working visit of delegation of Children of Armenia fund. The members of the delegation were received by Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan and the Prime Minister Arayik Haroutyunyan.
