Minsk Group diplomats meet Aliev.

The President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Popov (Russia), James Warlick (USA), Jacques Faure (France). Also present were Pierre Andrieu, the new co-chairman from France who will replace Ambassador Faure in the next days, as well as the special representative of the Swiss OSCE chairman-in-office, Andrzej Kaspzyk.

The website of the Azerbaijani President said that the sides "exchanged views on the current state and prospects for negotiations to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh."

Earlier this week the co-Chair of the Minsk Group were in the Swiss capital Bern, where they participated in an informal exchange of views with leading experts on the South Caucasus hosted by the Swiss Government. Senior Swiss diplomats also attended the meeting which was off the record. A source however told commonspace.eu that at the meeting in Bern the co-Chair were challenged on several aspects of their approach to the conflict and encouraged to adopt bolder measures in their efforts to break the current impasse, and in order to help bring the sides to the next step of negotiations.

source: commonspace.eu

photo: The co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group at their meeting with president Aliev of Azerbaijan on Saturday, 31 May 2014. (picture courtesy of the press Service of the president of Azerbaijan).

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

Beijing’s special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, told a regional conference attended by eight governments from the region that ‘all parties should engage in dialogue’ to achieve common prosperity. In the meeting China reaffirmed its support for peaceful development in the Horn of Africa, saying it would “actively engage” in regional initiatives to promote the concept. But analysts and observers are very skeptical. Whilst China might dabble with the region and its many problems, it ability to impact the situation, and particularly contribute to resolving the conflicts that plague the region is minimal. In his speech at the Kampala Conference, Xue said Beijing would offer military assistance and training, as well as helping to develop the region’s infrastructure and boosting trade. “The world today faces overlapping risks and challenges that threaten peace and development in the Horn of Africa, and all parties should engage in dialogue and cooperation to maintain universal security and achieve common prosperity,” Xue told the event, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Xue outlined further areas of cooperation, including counterterrorism and landmine eradication, while stressing China’s support for “African-led solutions” through platforms such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

China dabbles in Horn of Africa but its ability to bring peace to the region is minimal

Beijing’s special envoy for the Horn of Africa, Xue Bing, told a regional conference attended by eight governments from the region that ‘all parties should engage in dialogue’ to achieve common prosperity. In the meeting China reaffirmed its support for peaceful development in the Horn of Africa, saying it would “actively engage” in regional initiatives to promote the concept. But analysts and observers are very skeptical. Whilst China might dabble with the region and its many problems, it ability to impact the situation, and particularly contribute to resolving the conflicts that plague the region is minimal. In his speech at the Kampala Conference, Xue said Beijing would offer military assistance and training, as well as helping to develop the region’s infrastructure and boosting trade. “The world today faces overlapping risks and challenges that threaten peace and development in the Horn of Africa, and all parties should engage in dialogue and cooperation to maintain universal security and achieve common prosperity,” Xue told the event, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. Xue outlined further areas of cooperation, including counterterrorism and landmine eradication, while stressing China’s support for “African-led solutions” through platforms such as the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.