Warlick: Provocations on Contact Line slow progress tо peaceful settlement

There is no military solution to the Karabakh conflict, while provocations on the Line of Contact only slow a peaceful settlement, U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick said in an interview with Azerbaijan’s Trend news agency when commenting on the frequent ceasefire violations on the Line of Contact in the Karabakh conflict zone.

Warlick said the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs continue to call on the sides to reduce actions and rhetoric that could raise tensions or damage the peace process.

He expressed hope that it is possible to hold one more summit in the near future to build on Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents' constructive dialogue in Vienna last November.

"We hope that the Presidents will accept French President Hollande's offer to meet soon in Paris," Warlick told Trend on June 24.

In his words, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter's call for "structured negotiations" is also an opportunity for the sides to advance the peace process.

“There is no military solution to this conflict, and these kinds of provocations only slow progress toward our mutual goal - a peaceful, enduring settlement that will deliver the security and prosperity that the people of this region deserve," James Warlick stressed.

Asked about the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs' next visit to the region, Warlick said that he looks forward to continuing the talks as soon as possible.

"I look forward to continuing our talks as soon as possible, whether in the region or elsewhere, although we're still working to schedule our next engagement," he said.