The Minsk Group travels region, seeking another Karabakh summit

International mediators are preparing their next trip to the Nagorno-Karabakh region starting from tomorrow, top US envoy on the conflict, told Turan's Washington DC correspondent.

Over the week they will visit Yerevan, Khankendi and Baku to discuss details of peace prospects with the local authorities and prepare for the next high-level meeting of the conflict sides.

In Khankendi, they're planning to meet with the de facto authorities to hear their views.

In his speech at Carnegie Institution last week. Amb. James Warlick, a US co-chair of the Minsk Group, outlined Washington's policy on the conflict and the well-established principles that he believes, will serve as a foundation of a peaceful settlement.

The Minsk Group over the weekend issued a joint appeal warning of "the perpetual threat of escalating violence" and saying the belief that the status quo could be maintained was a "misconception."

Neither Armenia, nor Azerbaijan "had shown much willingness" to make the political decisions necessary for lasting peace, the MG believes, calling on both parties to enter final-status negotiations.

The statement coincided with a visit to the region by French President Francois Hollande.-25C--

A.Raufoglu

Washington, DC