What Was Discussed with Mnatsakanyan and Mamedyarov: Minsk Group Statement

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Igor Popov (Russia), Stéphane Visconti (France), and Andrew Schofer (USA) held consultations on January 16 in Paris with the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov. This was reported in a statement released by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

The statement indicated that the co-chairs first met separately with the foreign ministers and then held a joint meeting. OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s personal representative Andrzej Kasprzyk also participated in these meetings. This was the fourth meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries.

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, summarized the results of the negotiations with the participants. The co-chairs were received at the Élysée Palace.

“Participants expressed their guarantees to both ministers for their efforts aimed at maintaining an atmosphere conducive to intensive negotiations and achieving results,” the statement noted.

The ministers discussed a wide range of issues related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and agreed that concrete measures should be taken to prepare the population for peace.

During the meeting, the co-chairs discussed with both ministers the fundamental principles and parameters for this phase of the negotiation process.

The ministers and co-chairs discussed the next steps towards organizing a possible meeting between the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to give a strong impetus to the negotiations.

The co-chairs emphasized the importance of possible mutually beneficial initiatives aimed at realizing the economic potential of the region.

The co-chairs plan to meet with the leaders of both countries in the near future,” the statement concluded.