WASHINGTON—Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday appointed Ambassador James Warlick as the newest co-chairman of the OSCE Minks Group, tasked with mediating the Karabakh peace process.
Warlick is expected to assume his responsibilities in September, replacing Ian Kelly, who was appointed to the post in February.
“Ambassador Warlick brings extensive experience in Europe and Eurasia to this position. He most recently served as Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and lead negotiator for the Bilateral Security Agreement with Afghanistan. He served as Ambassador to Bulgaria from 2009-2012, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs from 2006 to 2009, and Director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs from 2005 to 2006,” said a press statement issued by the State Department.
“We can offer no better words of advice and guidance to Ambassador Warlick as he enters this pivotal post than those of our President, who entered the White House having publicly committed to the American people that he would work for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict based upon America’s founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination,” stated Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
“The United States remains firmly committed to helping the sides reach a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In their joint statement on June 18, Presidents Obama, Putin, and Hollande called on the sides to focus with renewed energy on the issues that remain unresolved, and noted that the leaders should prepare their people for peace, not war. Ambassador Warlick has the wisdom, judgment, and expertise to help the sides achieve that goal,” read the State Department statement on Monday.
