You called the meeting of the ministers in Kiev ‘historical’. Our Minister of foreign affairs talking with media after the meeting made some quite positive statements either. He mentioned that this meeting was the first for some period of time where the ‘substantive’, concrete issues has been discussed. So could it be a real breakthrough in the negotiation process?
– Recent talks between the presidents in Vienna and the foreign ministers in Kyiv have shown that the sides genuinely want to move beyond the current stalemate. I was pleased the most recent meeting in Kyiv was a chance for the ministers to discuss sensitive and difficult issues in the spirit of finding a way forward. Their continued high-level engagement in the weeks ahead provides a real opportunity to deliver a just and peaceful resolution to this conflict, although we should recognize that progress requires political commitment at the highest level.
Are the ongoing negotiation based on the earlier proposal or the co-chairs recently could propose some new ideas?
– The ministers agreed last week to continue working together on the basis of what has already been achieved. At the same time, all parties are open to considering way to reach a lasting settlement. We will continue to support these negotiations in any way that will help them move forward.
What Co-chair Warlick thinks on role of Switzerland in resolving the conflict? Switzerland will chair in OSCE next year, and it is the country that directly facilitated in normalization of Turkey-Armenia negotiations.
– We have been very appreciative of support from the Ukrainian Chairperson in Office over the past year, and look forward to working with Switzerland as it assumes its new role in 2014. The Minks Group remains the format for facilitating a settlement. However, Switzerland has a long history of conflict resolution and their active involvement in the region is welcome. /APA/
