YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Richard Hoagland, the new U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group looks forward to a regional visit, Hoagland told ARMENPRESS in an interview.

Mr. Hoagland mentioned his intention to work closely with his fellow Minsk Group Co-Chairs to encourage the sides to engage constructively in finding a way forward.

- Your Excellency Mr. Hoagland, as the new U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, what approaches do you have in terms of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict?

- I intend to work closely with my fellow Minsk Group Co-Chairs to encourage the sides to engage constructively to find a way forward. For my part, I know that the U.S. Government remains committed to a peaceful settlement through the mediation of the Co-Chair countries.

- The Minsk Group Co-Chairs avoided making addressed assessments in a statement released on January 9, regarding the December 29 Azerbaijani incursion attempt on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border near the Armenian village of Chinari. To what extent do unaddressed announcements contribute to the settlement of the conflict?

- The Minsk Group Co-Chairs stand by the January 9 statement calling on the sides to abstain from the use of force and strictly observe the agreements reached during summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg in 2016. Any violence simply postpones a settlement and prolongs the suffering of all the peoples in the region. The ultimate goal should be peace and prosperity for ALL peoples in the region.

- Do you find it possible for the representatives of Nagorno Karabakh to be included in the negotiations process as a full party to negotiations?

- I, personally, do not foresee any radical change in the near future. I want to emphasize that the Co-chairs have stated before that we understand the importance of hearing views from all sides of the conflict, including Nagorno-Karabakh. How to incorporate these views into the negotiations is something the Co-Chairs continue to discuss with the sides.

- Are the Co-Chairs planning a visit to the region in the upcoming months?

- My fellow Co-Chairs and I are consulting closely to find the most appropriate time for our next visit to the region. I, personally, very much look forward to such a visit so that I can hear all views.

- When is a meeting between the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan planned to take place?

- The Co-Chairs are prepared to work with the parties in any way that can bring about a lasting settlement. We continue to encourage the Presidents and Foreign Ministers to meet at the earliest opportunity to continue the important discussion on key issues, including the importance of respecting the ceasefire and taking steps towards fully implementing decisions taken in Vienna and St. Petersburg.

Interview by Araks Kasyan