OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs ready to meet Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders

Baku. 9 March. REPORT.AZ/ "A fair and lasting settlement must be based on the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act," OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs of the United States, Russia and France said in a joint statement.

"The Co-Chairs underline the importance of maintaining an environment conducive to productive discussions and continue to assess positively the recent lack of casualties on the front lines," the statement reads.

The Co-Chairs also welcome some initial steps being taken in the region to prepare the populations for peace and encourage the sides to intensify such efforts.

The Co-Chairs reiterate that a fair and lasting settlement must be based on the core principles of the Helsinki Final Act.

"Any attempt to put some principles or elements over others would make it impossible to achieve a balanced solution."

The Co-Chairs voiced their readiness to meet with the leaders and foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan at any time. The Co-Chairs stressed that they remain fully committed, in accordance with their mandate, to helping the sides find a peaceful solution to the conflict.