OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs issue statement

VIENNA, 11 February 2011 – The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Bernard Fassier of France, Robert Bradtke of the United States, and Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, released the following statement today:

The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassadors Bernard Fassier of France, Robert Bradtke of the United States, and Igor Popov of the Russian Federation) visited Yerevan and Baku February 8-11. They were accompanied on the visits by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Amb. Andrzej Kasprzyk. In Yerevan, they met with President Serzh Sargsian, Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, and Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan. In Baku, they met with President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, and Minister of Defense Safar Abiyev.

In their meetings in both Yerevan and Baku, the Co-Chairs stressed that the time has arrived for decisive action on behalf of peace to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Co-Chairs believe there has been positive movement as a result of the work that has been done since the October 2010 Astrakhan Summit. In that context, they urged the sides to make further progress to allow the peace process to proceed to its next phase. The Co-Chairs pledged their support for the sides as they make the necessary decisions to reach a peaceful settlement. To promote a climate conducive to peace, the Co-Chairs again urged the sides to show restraint both on the ground and in their public statements.