Searching for common ground. Diplomats try to find enough common ground to justify another meeting between the Presidents

Diplomats from the OSCE Minsk Group have ended a visit to Yerevan where they met with President Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Nalbandian. The diplomats travelled to Armenia from Azerbaijan where they met with President Aliev and Foreign Ministrer Mammadyarov, as well as the New Azerbaijani Defence Minister Hassanov.

The diplomats are attempting to find enough common ground between the two sides to enable another meeting of the Presidents of the two countries to take place in the coming weeks. At least one of the sides has declared itself against open-ended meeting, but both sides at the same time reiterate their committment to a peaceful solution of the conflict between them with the help of the Minsk Group mediation.

High on the agenda for the current mission of the Minsk Group diplomats has been the situation on the front line where incidents increased sharply during the first month of 2014. The matter was raised with the two Presidents, but both countries blame the other for the incidents. The current cease fire, which has been in force for the last twenty years, is largely unmonitored. Both sides report hundreds of violations weekly. Most casualties in the last years have been the result of sniper fire and the Minsk Group diplomats have made with drawal of snipers from the proximity of the line of contact a priority in their discussions.

source:commonspace.eu

photo: President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia with diplomats from the OSCE Minsk Group in Yerevan on 5 February 2014. (Picture courtesy of the press Service of the President of Armenia). 

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.