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Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov has responded to the request by APA in connection with the activity of U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick.
– The U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group has recently made several statements on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, which caused a mixed reaction in Baku. In particular, the diplomat wrote on his page on “Twitter” that the parties to the conflict are Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh and called for full-fledged negotiations with the direct participation of Nagorno-Karabakh and spoke about his meetings with “senior officials of Nagorno-Karabakh”. Earlier, the co-chair tweeted that he remembers Sumgayit events, although he preferred to keep silent on the anniversary of Khojaly tragedy. How can you comment on the activity of the U.S. co-chair?
– Baku did not go unnoticed Warlick’s statements. In addition to the statements that you mentioned, we obtain information other sources, including from Washington. We know that the co-chair has close ties with Armenian Diaspora in the U.S., which holds a strong position on the settlement of the conflict. Even a cursory viewing the comments on social networks show that the U.S. co-chair prefers to communicate more with Armenian Diaspora in the U.S. In general, his some statements are provocative. It is impossible to name differently the fact that the co-chair is spreading rumors about a possible escalation of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Despite the statements of Mr. Warlick regarding the importance of the neutrality of co-chairs, his own activity runs contrary to it. It is obvious that he is delivering bespoke speeches justifying Armenia’s non-constructive position in the negotiations. According to media reports, the U.S. co-chair will today address the event “The way forward and self-determination for Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” that is organized by the Armenian Diaspora in California. A mediator’s participation in such events is unacceptable.
We have repeatedly expressed our concern over the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group and statements of the U.S. co-chair. We can not turn a blind eye to the steps of Mr. Warlick reducing confidence in the Minsk Group, running contrary to the mandate of the co-chairs and undermining the negotiation process. All of these statements show that Mr.Warlick is consciously and deliberately taking these steps to ensure the interests of the Armenian side and promote the ideas of separatism.
All of the aforementioned facts give the Azerbaijani side every reason to distrust the U.S. co-chair of the Minsk Group, refuse working with him and appeal to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to recall James Warlick from the post of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair. James Warlick left the Azerbaijani side no other choice.
Apa/az
