“I think everyone knows in general that there are plans on the table, very reasonable plans, maybe not final plans but plans on the table mean that it is time to negotiate,” OSCE Minsk group Co-Chair Richard Hoagland told during the press conference on Monday in Yerevan.
He noted that it is important to have the political will at the top leadership on both sides to return to negotiations to find a peaceful solution: “It is really up to the leadership and to their people to make the decision how to live in peace and prosperity in the future. I know it sounds very simple, it’s not, I understand that, but there are plans that could be discussed. And it is time to return to negotiating table to discuss them.”
Richard Hoagland added that the Minsk group Co-Chairs know what is going on: “But because we are international mediators we have to keep a little degree of distance so we don’t overly offend one side or the other. Because when that happens then the possibility of discussion and mediation is closed down. And we cannot allow those doors to close, we have to keep the doors open. We will always note when there is an issue that needs to be called attention. But we have to be a little bit careful what we say in public, even though we know behind those closed doors what is really happening.”
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He emphasized that it is time to begin the negotiations again: “We cannot allow violence to be the solution to this outstanding issue. Violence is not an answer: violence destroys families, violence harms economies. So we must look at the most positive solutions. And our job as Co-Chairs to continue work together, stand together as we do with no space between us to encourage the negotiations process to continue.”
