We would like to express our appreciation for Ambassador Kasprzyk's report and for the important—sometimes dangerous—work he and his team are doing to maintain the cease-fire and facilitate the exchange of prisoners. This work will become increasingly important as we move toward a possible resolution of this long-standing conflict.

We are hopeful that the direct talks between Presidents Kocharian and Aliyev may soon yield fruit, and the Minsk Group co-chairs are actively working on a new proposal that would incorporate elements of that dialogue.

The co-chairs have just met in Paris, and they plan to meet again in mid-February in Geneva.

In addition, Secretary Albright met with both presidents in Davos, and she has discussed Nagorno-Karabakh in her meetings this week in Moscow.