The co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group hope that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will soon meet, Co-Chair Igor Popov stated in Baku.

Within the framework of their visit to the Azerbaijani capital city, Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov (Russia), James Warlick (US), and Pierre Andrieu (France) also met with refugees of the Karabakh conflict, reported APA news agency of Azerbaijan.

Popov noted that the meeting was very productive.

“We are ending our [regional] visit today [i.e. Wednesday],” he said. “In Armenia, we discussed the political processes, the increase in tension on the Line of Contact, [and] the formation of humanitarian cooperation.”

Warlick, for his part, noted that unless the refugees’ problem is resolved and they have returned to their homes, a comprehensive solution will be impossible.

Andrieu, in turn, stated that they realize the importance of the refugee factor in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

“We discuss this matter at every meeting,” he noted. “During the talks with the ICRC [i.e. the International Committee of the Red Cross], we have put forth the initiative of determining the number and identity of those killed during the Karabakh War. This process is underway in Azerbaijan and in Armenia alike.”