The status quo is unsustainable and increasingly dangerous, and the worst outcome would be renewed conflict, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair James Warlick said in an interview with news.az. 

“My challenge to the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan is that they meet again soon and we begin peace negotiations that can result in an agreement to resolve the conflict.  Peace is within grasp if there is the political will. If not now, when?” he said.

The diplomat said “the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh are occupied and must be returned to Azerbaijan as one element of a comprehensive settlement”.  However, he noted it is important that all six elements must be accepted for a peace deal to be possible.

“The United States recognizes only two sovereign states, Armenia and Azerbaijan.  There are also affected parties which include the people in Nagorno-Karabakh and those refugee and IDP communities that are a result of the conflict.  We need to take all views into account as we work towards a lasting settlement”.