OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs count on holding a meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders at the beginning of 2014, American Co-Chair James Warlick said in an interview with Turan agency and the Voice of America.  

He said the Co-Chairs want the meetings to continue. Asked about exact date, Warlick said he has no precise information concerning the date and place of the meeting. However, the foreign ministers are holding discussions and the Co-Chairs hope it will become clear soon.

James Warlick noted that the positive consequences of restoring the high level dialogue have been seen. In particular, the number of fatalities along the line of contact was reduced.

The militant rhetoric of the leaders has been eased, and this is very important for building dialogue, reducing the losses and tension. He said the Co-Chairs are supportive of new ideas, but the parties have to determine the format for solutions. The diplomat assured that the Minsk Group’s task is to help the parties, and if they want to solve issues based on new ways and forms, the co-chairs will help.

The mediator stressed that Armenia and Azerbaijan are willing to achieve settlement that is in the interests of their countries, and the mediators want to find the variant of settlement that would meet the interests of the  parties. He believes elimination of “not war, not peace” situation would promote investments, improve social conditions.

During talks in Yerevan and Baku, the Co-Chair said he felt willingness of the presidents to find the path that would ensure longstanding peace.

Asked about role of Turkey, the mediator stated the country is a neighbor of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Warlick said he is not authorized to determine the role of Turkey, but at certain moment Ankara may play a certain role, he admitted.

The Co-Chair said that the positions of U.S. and Russia on Karabakh peace process coincide.