U.S. is cooperating with Russia within the format of the OSCE Minsk Group, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State.

Speaking at the Globsec 2011 forum held in Bratislava, Philip Gordon noted there is an opinion that initiating meetings with Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents, Russia gradually takes control of the Karabakh peace process. The U.S. official stressed Russia is geographically closer to the conflicting parties, therefore it is easier to organize a meeting, for instance in Sochi, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, rather than Washington.

U.S. considers Russia’s actions are transparent and other Minsk Group Co-Chairs are informed of the details. Gordon noted the Co-Chairs trust each other as they protect common interests. These interests are determined by an imperative of ensuring comprehensive security in Europe, he added.

Commenting on a remark of Azerbaijani participant who expressed his dissatisfaction with the work of OSCE Minsk Group, Gordon stressed the mediators are working very well and certain progress is observed.

The conflict is considered frozen but fatal incidents in the line of contact still occur, he stressed. As a result of some wrong calculations, the conflict may turn into a hot one and everything should be done to prevent this scenario.