Giedrius Čekuolis: Settlement of NK issue is not a question of which format for negotiations, but of political will

YEREVAN, JULY 9, ARMENPRESS:

Armenpress news agency conducted an exclusive interview with Ambassador Giedrius Čekuolis, the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE on the Protracted Conflicts, over the process of settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, possible developments and the impact of Lithuania’s chairmanship on the process.

How do you assess the present phase of the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

In my view progress was made at the Kazan meeting, including confirmation by the sides that they will continue to seek a negotiated settlement. I fully support the statement by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs calling for the parties to use this momentum to reach agreement on the Basic Principles as soon as possible.

In your opinion, are the negotiations efficient in the framework of OSCE Minsk Group?

As the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, has emphasized during his trip to the region and in numerous statements, the Lithuanian Chairmanship fully supports the Minsk Group Co-Chairs' efforts to assist the sides in resolving the conflict under the agreed format.

The settlement process led by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs has helped to keep dialogue going and reduce the risk of escalation over many years. Ultimately it is not a question of which format for negotiations, but of political will. A comprehensive settlement depends on this.

The day after the Kazan meeting the president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev once again threatened Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh with war. What do you think can these kind of statements really lead to war?

The parties have pledged to refrain from threat or use of force, and the Lithuanian Chairmanship strongly urges all sides to honour their pledge. We must build confidence if we are to achieve progress towards reaching a comprehensive peace settlement; any threat of force is obviously counter to shared goal.

What necessary steps should be taken in order to avoid these kind statements and their negative impact on the negotiation process?

We all know and we are all agreed that there is no alternative to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As we have emphasized repeatedly, the sides need to strengthen the ceasefire regime and implement further confidence-building measures, with the involvement of civil society. This was discussed with the OSCE Chairperson during his meetings with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in March. Furthermore, the leaders should follow through on their agreement to investigate possible incidents on the Line of Contact, withdraw snipers and refrain from the threat or use of force.

Minsk Group co-chairs declared that even if Kazan meeting doesn’t bring significant results they would step up with new proposals. What do you think these new proposals can refer to?

This is a question you would have to ask the Co-Chairs. I can only say that the OSCE stands ready to support and complement, including via the Chairperson’s Personal Representative on the conflict, any efforts made under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and at the tripartite level in the meetings of the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, to put an end to the confrontation and instability, for the benefit of all the people of the region.