“Azerbaijan has achieved major advances in education, increased living standards, and made progress in combating human trafficking and protecting women’s rights during 20 years of independence,” interim Co-Chair of OSCE Minsk Group, U.S. Representative to the OSCE Ian Kelly said addressing the OSCE Permanent Council, APA reports.
“Azerbaijan is an important partner for the United States. We want to see Azerbaijan succeed as a democratic, prosperous, secure, and sovereign country. It is for this reason that my government is troubled by the Azerbaijani government’s reaction to protests this year, including the arrest and interrogation of democracy activists, pressure on civil society organizations and political parties, and closure of Free Thought University’s facility,” he said.
Touching on the status of the OSCE Office in Baku, Ian Kelly said that its work has made substantial and positive contributions to Azerbaijan’s reform agenda: “The United States reiterates its full support for the current mandate and work of the OSCE Office in Baku, and we hope that Azerbaijan will continue to ensure a robust field presence that works in all three dimensions in the country. We urge that the government engage in constructive dialogue and address these matters at the appropriate time in the OSCE’s calendar of work.”
Ian Kelly noted that the United States believes that efforts in support of resolving the protracted conflicts should remain high on the OSCE’s agenda: “As a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the United States will continue to work closely with the sides to achieve a lasting, negotiated settlement. The status quo is not acceptable. Progress on negotiations is indeed needed.” /APA/
