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“I was immensely encouraged when the two presidents agreed to meet later this month. This is an important step toward getting the peace process back on track, and I hope that the sides can use this meeting to find a way into more productive talks in the future,” stated James Warlick , US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, in an interview given to “1news.az” Azerbaijani news agency.

According to the American diplomat, the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents’ willingness for direct negotiations and promotion of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement has a chance for success.

He noted that the Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham Aliyev agreed for a private meeting as a result of the last visit of the OSCE Minsk Group to the region that took place on November 4-5. The meeting of the two presidents, which is expected to take place in late November, will be the first one after a nearly two-year pause. The United States has long been committed to the peaceful resolution of this conflict, and I look forward to a close partnership with our fellow co-chairs Russia and France to help the sides achieve this.

“In several trips to the region, the message I have heard repeatedly is that all sides want a just and peaceful settlement. With elections now finished in Armenia and Azerbaijan and both presidents willing to commit to moving this process forward, I believe we can help them get there,” said Warlick.

James Warlick commented on the recent Turkish Media which reported that Armenia allegedly is ready to give back 5 out of 7 occupied regions, “There will be many issues for the sides to negotiate before they reach a comprehensive peace agreement, and none of them are likely to succeed in isolation. Any compromises, however, are vastly outweighed by the benefits that peace will bring to the region.”

“What’s important now is to resume dialogue at the highest levels, encourage any measures that will build trust and security and increase contact between the sides, and focus on practical steps that bring us closer to peace,” US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group said.