Yerevan /Mediamax. Ambassador of the U.S. to OSCE James S. Gilmore has responded to the report of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ report.

“The United States sincerely welcomed the cessation of violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area.  We have taken note of the Russian-brokered arrangement to stop the fighting and appreciate the additional information provided today regarding the implementation of this arrangement as it goes on to take shape. We encourage the sides to work with the Minsk Group Co-Chairs to resolve outstanding issues and reach a lasting peaceful resolution of this conflict,” reads the response.

The Ambassador has underlined that any final resolution must be based on the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act: non-use of force, territorial integrity, and self-determination.

“While the fighting has largely stopped, the humanitarian situation on the ground does remain dire. The United States takes note of this humanitarian crisis that is on the way.

Conditions in the conflict zone are exacerbated by the global coronavirus pandemic and will certainly become more acute as the winter comes nearer and nearer.

We urge the sides to work closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the OSCE’s Personal Representative to facilitate the exchange of detainees and the return of remains, as well as other steps agreed upon in Geneva on October 29,” wrote Ambassador Gilmore.