ArmInfo.Baku commented on the appointment of a new co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group from the United States, saying that this is an "attempt" to "revive" the practically non-functioning Minsk Group.
Earlier today, it was reported that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appointed Ambassador Philip T. Reeker as Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations.In this capacity, Ambassador Reeker will serve as U.S. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair and lead negotiator for the U.S. delegation to the Geneva International Discussions during this critical period.
"The United States is committed to helping Armenia and Azerbaijan negotiate a long-term political settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ambassador Reeker will engage bilaterally, with like- minded partners such as the European Union, and through his role as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, to facilitate direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ambassador Reeker's appointment at this time reaffirms the importance the United States places in the Geneva International Discussions on Georgia", Antony Blinken stated. "Ambassador Reeker brings extensive experience in Europe and international organizations. He served most recently at the Embassy of the United States of America in the United Kingdom as Charg' d'Affaires to the Court of St. James's. From March 2019 to August 2021, Ambassador Reeker was Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. Prior to heading the Bureau, Ambassador Reeker was Civilian Deputy and Policy Advisor to the Commander of U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. He served earlier as United States Consul General in Milan, covering northern Italy, and was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State focused on the Balkans, Central Europe, and Holocaust Issues. From 2008-2011 he was U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia," the State Department said in a statement.
According to APA, commenting on this appointment, head of the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said that "attempts to "revive" the practically non-functioning Minsk Group may lead the United States to move away from the process of normalizing Azerbaijani-Armenian relations."
"The Karabakh conflict has been settled, and Karabakh is an "integral part of Azerbaijan". The international community, including our partners, should understand that connecting the negotiations for the settlement of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations with the Karabakh problem does not serve the settlement in no way.>, the representative of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry emphasized. Earlier, in June, US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Dr. Karen Donfried in an interview with RFE/RL's Armenian Service said that, despite the Ukrainian crisis, Washington is ready to continue cooperation with Russia on the Karabakh issue.