Austria is ready to help in its mediation efforts during our OSCE Chairmanship, and will also support the other elements of the Minsk Process, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said in an interview with Today.az.

“This is a decisive period and together with our international partners in the OSCE and the EU we are very clear that there can only be a peaceful solution to this conflict. We therefore call on all sides to focus on dialogue and diplomacy. There are ideas and offers on the table to strengthen trust and foster cooperation. The basic elements for further negotiations towards a peace agreement have been agreed upon by both Presidents – the “Madrid Principles”, with small adaptations, have been on the table now for nearly 10 years – so there is a basis and concrete issues to speak about,” the Minister said.

As a neutral country and chairman of the organization, “we are fully aware of our high responsibility in this respect”, Kurz added.

“While Austria is not a member in the Minsk Group, we are ready to help in its mediation efforts during our OSCE Chairmanship, and will also support the other elements of the “Minsk Process”. Azerbaijanis and Armenians can be assured that Austria is prepared to help in their search for a peaceful solution of this conflict – through offering our neutral territory for negotiations, expert dialogue, youth meetings or any other activities that support to focus on peace and exclude the perspectives of war,” the Minister added.