The Krakow meeting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers focused on discussions over expanding the OSCE’s monitoring mission in the conflict zone, Russian co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Popov told APA.

“As you know, the decision was reached at the summit held in Switzerland in October 2017 to intensify the negotiation process and take additional measures aimed at reducing tensions on the contact line. Accordingly, after the summit, I had a series of consultations with my American and French colleagues, as well as with Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk and the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers. We also helped the ministers organize their two meetings, the last of which took place in Krakow. The Krakow meeting focused on reducing military risks, including expanding the OSCE monitoring mission in the conflict zone. The ministers agreed in principle on the documents regulating the activities of additional seven observers prepared by the mediators. Prior to the launch of such a mechanism for expanding the monitoring mission, there are still some technical details that must be agreed,” noted Popov.

The Russian co-chair said that most complex aspects of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement that hamper the settlement process were also discussed during the meeting.

“These aspects are nothing new; the parties to the conflict have repeatedly voiced them. These aspects have to do with to the issues of status and territorial integrity, the ideas voiced by the co-chairs are aimed at helping find a mutually acceptable solution. We hope to clarify Azerbaijan’s and Armenia’s positions within the framework of our meetings with the presidents during our visit to the region scheduled to take place in the first ten days of February,” said Popov.

Asked if there are any specific offers or decisions on holding a meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents and if this issue would be on the agenda of next visit to the region, the Russian co-chair said: “Only the parties themselves, having shown political will, can come to a compromising solution to end the protracted conflict. At the same time, for the next high-level summit to be held there needs to be careful preparations aimed at agreeing on what has to be the main subject of the meeting. We ourselves endeavor to give useful options to Baku and Yerevan. We’re going to discuss this during our forthcoming visit to the region. When the sides are ready to meet, considering the two presidents’ work schedule, available options, including the summit’s date and format, could be offered.”