The ongoing events in Ukraine make resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict more important, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar said while visiting the town built for internally displaced persons in western Ganja city of Azerbaijan.

“The settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has always been of great importance, but today this issue has gained particular importance. We are witnesses of steps taken by Russia and we want the conflict which plays a destabilizing role in the region to be settled in a short time and that none of the neighbors misuses the evolving situation under various pretexts,” the Ambassador said.

The diplomat said the conflict resolution requires political will of the parties noting that the absence of progress and delaying of the conflict resolution process that has lasted for more than 20 years is due to the complicated character of the conflict.

“The presidents of both countries should jointly take concrete steps to achieve a final solution to the conflict, should come to an agreement which also includes de-occupation of seven regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh,” the Ambassador stressed.

Morningstar also emphasized the importance of cooperation with Russia in terms of resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“Of course, resolution of this matter requires cooperation with Russia,” Morningstar pointed out.

“I promise that we will do our utmost within the Minsk Group and we will be active. We put forward a variety of ideas to promote the negotiation process and to get it out of an impasse,” the diplomat continued.

The concerns of citizens over the unresolved conflict are understandable, he added.

“We all need to recognize the tragedy of hundreds of thousands of people caused by the conflict. How comfortable and beautiful this and other towns may be, all internally displaced persons wish to return to their native lands. Moreover, there are still great number of IDPs who lack an opportunity to live in such convenient towns. They need also to return to their native lands.”

The diplomat said it was a great honor for him to visit the town.

“I was in the high school and I can say that it does not lag behind the American schools,” Morningstar underscored.

1news.az