YEREVAN. – The Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) does not have working means to conduct a constant monitoring of the maintenance of the ceasefire by the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 

Minsk Group Co-Chair James Warlick of the US said the aforementioned on Monday in Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia.

In his words, the idea for creating mechanisms for investigating the ceasefire violations is being discussed for several years. In this context, Warlick argued that Azerbaijan had not rejected this proposal.

The Armenian journalists, however, reminded the mediator that this initiative was not brought to fruition due to its refusal by the Azerbaijani party. In response, Warlick explained that, a few years ago, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev had stated that Azerbaijan was open to respective discussions.

Warlick said the aforementioned mechanisms can help organize relations, and it is time for peace. He added that although this will not be easy, it could be worse.

The Minsk Group co-chair noted that the matter being discussed is the adherence to the ceasefire. In his words, if there is information that one of the parties has violated the ceasefire, this needs to be checked and properly used.

James Warlick also stated that if the conflicting parties can achieve progress in finding a comprehensive solution, this will be to the benefit of the Armenian and the Azerbaijani peoples.