OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair James Warlick is confident that people in Karabakh conflict zone are ready for peace.

The problem is whether the leadership of the countries has political will to achieve a negotiated settlement, he said in an interview with the Voice of America Armenian service.

“We want to help achieve settlement and long lasting peace,” he said.

The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan said the international mediators want to see intensification of talks, and the meeting of foreign ministers with the Co-Chairs will take place on the margins of the UN General Assembly during which the sides will prepare the regular round of talks between the presidents.

At the same time James Warlick expressed deep concern about escalation of violence in the Karabakh conflict zone.

The diplomat said when he assumed the office the snipers were the main danger. However, the tactics has changed, there are attacks with the use of mortars and heavy weapons, and there are casualties among civilians.

“It is unacceptable and we urge the sides to do everything to avoid losses,” he added.

The United States support measures to strengthen confidence building measures and ready to work with the parties to achieve this goal.

Washington has long supported the introduction of mechanism of investigations within the OSCE, and “we hope that Azerbaijan will also be ready to recognize this mechanism”, the diplomat said.

The Co-Chairs hope that the parties will respect ceasefire and will avoid clashes that result in casualties among civilians.

Speaking about difference between Russia and the West, he reiterated readiness of Moscow and Washington to work in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group.

There are many tense issues between Washington and Moscow, he admitted, but added that Karabakh issue is not one of them.

The United States welcome Russia's active engagement in the peace process, Warlick emphasized.