Washington hopes for “new efforts and confidence” in peace talks on Karabakh conflict, American Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick said in an interview with Turan agency.

As to the upcoming regional trip of the Co-Chairs, Warlick said the meaning of their work is to  help the people and governments of two countries make decisions providing a lasting peace in the region.

The Co-Chair said his visit to the region confirmed that people want settlement and realize there will be losses. If the conflict is resolved, he is confident it will bring prosperity to the Caucasus.

“Therefore, we must search for and find such ways that will allow people and governments to achieve this goal,” he said.

Calling the situation in the region ‘dangerous’, Warlick said that Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to arm, although the conflict has ‘mirrored opportunities’ if the two leaders choose the peaceful option and the format of the Minsk Group. Given that today the mediators for the first time over a long period are trying to make the leaders of two countries seat at the negotiating table, the credibility of the parties to each other is of vital importance.

“Next week we are going to the region to meet with both Presidents, and we hope that they will make a decision about their meeting,” the mediator said.

Asked about the time and place of future meetings, the diplomat said that it would depend on the presidents.

Warlick said they need to take practical steps necessary to conduct full-scale negotiations and reach a solution. He emphasized that the peoples of Armenia and Azerbaijan are waiting for this.