The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) sharply condemned the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, stating that this step dealt a blow to multifaceted diplomatic efforts to ensure a just and lasting peace in the South Caucasus. The organization's executive director, Aram Hamparian, stated that the decision should be seen as Azerbaijan's attempt to “advance a unilateral agreement through pressure and force.”
The editorial office, citing ANCA, reports that the statement accused Baku of “ethnic cleansing,” “illegal detention and torture of Armenian prisoners,” as well as “occupation of territories belonging to Armenia.” The Committee called on the US leadership to play an active role in ensuring peace in the South Caucasus based on justice and accountability.
ANCA also demanded support for the application of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, the expansion of global sanctions, the return of Karabakh Armenians, the release of detainees, and the protection of cultural heritage.
The organization added that in the absence of the Minsk Group, strengthening multifaceted international mediation mechanisms is “indispensable.” In their opinion, only “impartial and principled international efforts” can ensure “a just and real peace” in the South Caucasus.
The Minsk Group was established in 1992 and co-chaired by the US, France, and Russia. Its dissolution was announced after the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement, mediated by the US, was signed on August 8. ANCA sharply criticized this package, calling it an agreement that is “unjust, undermines Armenia's sovereignty, and rewards Azerbaijan's aggression.”
Sevinj Karimova