U.S. ambassador to Armenia on OSCE Mg, Armenia`s cooperation with Russia, Iran to establish regional peace

ArmInfo. Armenia is a sovereign state free to have relations with any state in the way it consider advisable, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Kristina Kvien said in an interview with Armenia's Public TV as she commented on Iran's role in establishing regional peace and the U.S.  disapproving of it.

The U.S. appreciates Armenia supporting the U.S. sanctions against Iran, but it is up to Armenia to decide on all other issues, including its relations with Iran, Ms Kvien said.

The U.S. is working with its reliable partners in the South Caucasus and cooperating with the European Union in establishing regional peace. Washington is supportive of the EU-brokered negotiations and is seeking to contribute to the process. 

The U.S. is maintaining regular contacts with the EU to complement each other's efforts, the U.S.  ambassador said.

As regards the OSCE Minsk Group, the only organization mandated to deal with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Ms Kvien said they are trying to find organizations that would enable Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue discussions on establishing a lasting peace. 

Regrettably, Russia is not a good partner because of its aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, the U.S. is trying to work with its reliable partners to push ahead with the process. The OSCE Minsk Group has not ceased to exist, and if the future afford an opportunity for constructive work within the organization, the U.S. will not object and is sure to consider the issue, the U.S. diplomat

said.

As to the opinion that closely cooperating with the US., which is not actually "on the ground" in Armenia, Yerevan is losing its only ally, Russia, which at the very least, help Armenia in case of another Azerbaijani aggression, Ms Kvien, in a diplomatic manner, said that the U.S. is seeking to bring peace to the region, doing so in the best way the U.S. thinks of. The U.S. is trying to act to contribute to peace, and what the other partners are doing is up to Armenia to see. 

As to Azerbaijan's provocation in Yeraskh, with shootings at a metallurgical works under construction, the U.S. is against border incidents and is for reciprocal withdrawal of troops to reduce such incidents to  a minimum. Ms Kvien hopes the sides will reach an agreement.

As to whether the U.S. sees any opportunities to assist Armenia in ensuring its security, given the fact that it is only restoring the balance of forces in the region that could in the best way contribute to peace in the South Caucasus - as Azerbaijan is trying to get everything by force as long as it has a chance - Ambassador Kvien noted that she could not comment on Azerbaijan's motives as she is working in Yerevan.

Azerbaijan is at the negotiating table, and the U.S. has done its best to facilitate the process.

With respect to security, at the Armenian side's request, the U.S. is helping Armenia - participation at the international level, various training courses, exchange of experience. Further U.S. assistance is being discussed as well.

The U.S. has provided military-medical equipment to Armenia, including a mobile hospital, which saved many lives. Armenia and the U.S. are seriously cooperating in this field. 

As regards Azerbaijan's pressure on Armenia to get a transport corridor via Armenia's territory, Ambassador Kvien stressed the unacceptability and unproductiveness of aggressive rhetoric in the peace talks. The U.S. proposed that the side discuss the ways of improving the transport system, and they are discussing it.

To help the sides, the USAID Transport Department conducted research of effectiveness of various routes - not only routes connecting Armenia with Azerbaijan, but also Armenia's transport potential for the future.  All the issues are being discussed, but no final solutions have been made yet, Ms Kvien said.  

She is sure the unblocked transport links will be of benefit to Armenia, diversify its energy sector, etc.