OSCE Minsk Group Urges Yerevan and Baku to Prepare for Negotiations

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov from Russia, Stéphane Visconti from France, and Andrew Schofer from the United States), along with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office's Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk, welcomed the relative calm along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and appealed to Yerevan and Baku.

The co-chairs called on both sides to take advantage of the de-escalation phase and to prepare the ground for substantial negotiations aimed at seeking a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.

They emphasized once again that during this extremely sensitive period, it is of utmost importance to refrain from provocative statements and actions, including threats directed at civil society or critical infrastructure.

“The recent public statements criticizing the efforts of the co-chairing countries and/or seeking to unilaterally establish new 'conditions' or modifications to the format of the resolution process do not contribute to the resumption of constructive dialogue. Political will for a peaceful and sustainable resolution can best be demonstrated by refraining from maximalist positions, provocative statements, and actions, and by strictly adhering to the ceasefire,” the statement noted.

The co-chairs reaffirmed their readiness to meet with the leaders or their representatives at any time and highlighted the necessity for the prompt return of OSCE observers to the region.