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“FMs of Armenia and Azerbaijan are to meet in Basel at the @OSCE ministerial to hold talks about the next steps for a negotiated settlement,” the OSCE US co-chair James Warlick noted today in his Twitter microblog.

According to the Azerbaijani news agency "Trend", James Warlick told reporters that the OSCE Minsk Group (MG) is intended to make more efforts to achieve progress in resolving the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. "Over the past year we have witnessed significant progress in the negotiation process. The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan have met for three times and have made efforts to ensure a lasting dialogue to resolve the conflict. However, we have witnessed also steps back," he said.

He also reminded about the escalation of tension on the contact line between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops in late July and early August, when there was a violation of ceasefire and casualties. "We have also witnessed the incident with the destruction of the Armenian military helicopter. This is a tragedy for both sides. Now we try to restore those progresses in negotiation process that took place earlier in order to achieve a lasting peace," the co-chair said.

Warlick also expressed hope that the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will agree to a new meeting. He also noted that it should be their decision. "Do you remember the statement of the presidents after their meeting in Paris, where they expressed optimism about the meeting and willingness to support the continuation of the negotiations? We, as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, are ready to provide support for their new meeting," he said.