YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. The Vienna and St. Petersburg meetings are of key importance for Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. Thank to them it became possible to reach a ceasefire which is the only and most important precondition for effective negotiations, “Armenpress” reports OSCE Minsk Group American Co-chair James Warlick told “The Voice of America”.

“Of course, Nagorno Karabakh conflict cannot be settled by one or two meetings, but this was a huge progress. The Presidents try to find ways out during these meetings”, he said.

Warlick added that as a result of the talks the parties have agreed upon increasing the OSCE monitoring mission. According to him, despite the latest clashes between Karabakh and Azerbaijani troops, it is possible to reach a peaceful and negotiated settlement. “If the sides do not see any opportunity for a negotiated conflict settlement, they will just stop negotiating. Both Presidents realize the resumption of war will have tragic consequences for the region”, he said.