There is no acceptable military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, while the current status quo is not sustainable over the long term.
Schofer: Karabakh conflict settlement requires some very tough decisions on all sides
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 7, ARTSAKHPRESS:US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Andrew Schofer, told the aforesaid to Trend news agency of Azerbaijan.
Schofer emphasized that the United States supports a negotiated settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and will continue to engage actively with Armenia and Azerbaijan, as a co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group.
“The United States’ longstanding policy, shared by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, is that a just settlement must be based on international law, which includes the Helsinki Final Act and the core principles of the non-use of force or threat of force, territorial integrity, and equal rights and self-determination [of people],” he said. “We also agree that the current status quo in the region is not sustainable over the long term, and that there is no acceptable military solution to the conflict.” he said.
The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents’ commitments in Geneva to intensify negotiations and to take additional measures to reduce tensions reflect this reality, Schofer added.
“As co-chairs, we have worked hard with the sides in the months since Geneva to move these commitments towards implementation, and will continue to do so,” he noted.
Stressing that as a co-chair country, the United States remains firmly committed to the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair process, Schofer said that the co-chairs are prepared to work with the parties in any way that can help bring a lasting settlement.
“We continue to encourage the presidents and foreign ministers to meet at the earliest opportunity to continue discussions on key issues, including the importance of respecting the ceasefire and taking steps towards fully implementing decisions taken in Geneva in 2017, as well as in Vienna and St. Petersburg in 2016,” he said.
Touching upon the expansion of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Schofer noted that this would represent an important signal from the sides regarding their stated commitment to taking steps to calm tensions along the line of contact.
“It would also enhance the Mission’s ability to fulfill its mandate in a timely and efficient manner,” he added. “The co-chairs will continue to engage the sides toward realizing this important confidence building measure as soon as possible.”
Asked about how close Baku and Yerevan are to achieve a sustainable peace, Schofer said there are no simple solutions to the conflict.
“I assumed the role of U.S. co-chair to the OSCE Minsk Group in August 2017,” he noted. “In my time in this position, I have met with a wide range of people focused on all aspects of this conflict. While I have heard many strong views and many good ideas, it is clear that there are no simple solutions to the conflict, and it would be unrealistic to expect that a comprehensive breakthrough will be achieved without a lot more work and preparation, which will take time.
“Moving the process forward in a positive direction will require continued good faith efforts on the part of the parties themselves, the co-chairs, and the international community, and will ultimately require some very tough decisions on all sides.”
As for the next visit to the region, he said that the Minsk Group co-chairs currently do not have a schedule for the next visit, but will continue to consult with the parties on an appropriate date, taking into account the current electoral period in the region.
