The OSCE will not slacken its efforts and will continue to pursue a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Austrian Foreign Minister, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office, Sebastian Kurz told the aforesaid to Mediamax news agency of Armenia.

When asked about what prospects he sees for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Kurz responded as follows:

“Despite strong efforts from the [OSCE] Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs, the year 2016 was marked by harsh set-backs with regard to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, with intensified fighting and increased hardships for the local population.

“However, the OSCE will not slacken its efforts and will continue to pursue a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Austria, as Chair of the OSCE in 2017 therefore calls on the sides to focus on dialogue and diplomacy and stands ready to strengthen the peace process and contribute to the negotiations.

“As Chairperson-in-Office I will visit Armenia and Azerbaijan later this year and hope to give renewed impetus to these negotiations during this trip. Concrete ideas will be presented and consultations to this effect are already taking place, in line with the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-chairs and conditional on the receptiveness of the sides.”

As per the Chairperson-in-Office, the OSCE “Chair hopes for early implementation of the confidence-building measures agreed last year between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. We stand ready to facilitate the necessary practical steps to expand the office of the Personal Representative, operational details of which are being discussed with the sides by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, as is the establishment of an OSCE investigative mechanism.”

And reflecting on the chances of Nagorno Karabakh’s engagement in the peace negotiations, Sebastian Kurz stated:

“The negotiations are held between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan under the auspices of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, and it is understood that all stakeholders are represented in this format. In addition, as you know, the Co-Chairs occasionally visit Nagorno-Karabakh.

“This year marks ten years since the ‘Madrid Principles’ were first put on the negotiating table. They basically include all the elements of a comprehensive settlement. When we come to a final agreement, it will be important to make sure that the interests and rights of all concerned Armenians and Azerbaijanis are taken into account.”