We do not object to a discussion of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in regional and international organizations.

Ambassador James Warlick, the US Co-Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, stated the aforesaid speaking to Turan news agency of Azerbaijan and the Voice of America, reflecting on the two resolutions that were submitted to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

“We support Azerbaijan and Armenia’s right to raise the issue as they choose,” Warlick noted. “The Co-Chairs wanted to emphasize that the Minsk Group remains the negotiation format accepted by the sides.  We hope Armenia and Azerbaijan will remain fully committed to working closely with the Co-Chairs on a negotiated settlement.

“As mediators, we believe the only path toward peace is at the negotiation table. 

“Our negotiations aim to reach a lasting settlement based on the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Helsinki Final Act, particularly the principles of territorial integrity, self-determination, and non-use of force. The occupied territories will need to be returned to Azerbaijan’s control as part of a comprehensive settlement, which would also include a determination of status for Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The sides and the Co-Chairs share the opinion that the primary elements of a settlement will be based on the Madrid principles. The proposals currently under discussion between the sides and the Co-Chairs are guided by those principles.”