National Statement in Support of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs
As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Austrian
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
September 30, 2021
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As a co-chair country of the Minsk Group, the United States would like to convey the following message in my national capacity.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs Dereck Hogan and National Security Council Senior Director for Europe Amanda Sloat met on September 27 with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Stephane Visconti of France, Andrew Schofer of the United States, and Igor Khovaev of the Russian Federation, as well as Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson in Office Andrzej Kasprzyk. They underscored only a comprehensive resolution that addresses all outstanding issues can normalize relations between the two countries and allow the people of the region to live together peacefully.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Hogan and Senior Director Sloat welcomed the co-chairs’ efforts and the resolve of Armenia and Azerbaijan to reengage in the peace process through direct dialogue aimed at contributing to security, stability, and prosperity in the region. They conveyed the commitment of the United States to continue working with its fellow co-chair countries to help Armenia and Azerbaijan resolve all outstanding issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including with regard to detainees, missing persons, and humanitarian demining efforts.
The United States encourages Armenia and Azerbaijan to work closely with the co-chairs to advance the settlement process based on the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act in order to arrive at a sustainable and lasting peace.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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