U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry expressed his dissatisfaction with the continuing position of the status quo in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, a congratulatory letter to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in connection with his re-election says, Tert.am reported on Tuesday.
‘I am willing to help your country find a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and ask you to continue assisting the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs. We cannot be satisfied with the status quo. We should find the moment to ensure visible support in peace process’, the message says.
Presidential elections were held in Armenia on Feb.18.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994.The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. – are currently holding peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four U.N. Security Council resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.