Louis Bono, senior advisor to the US Secretary of State for negotiations in the Caucasus and the new American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, is visiting the region for the first time in this capacity. The visit is expected next week. This was announced by US State Department spokesperson Ned Price during a press briefing, noting that Washington expects Bono’s visits to the three regional countries to be regular.
“Bono plans to meet with senior leaders of the countries to support the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace process and to express our continued commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. As I already noted, during his visit he will travel to all three countries — Baku, Yerevan and Tbilisi — in that order,” Price said.
He added that they hope this visit will give Bono the opportunity to continue the dialogue that took place between the US Secretary of State and the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan within the framework of the Munich Security Conference.
“We are encouraged by the recent efforts of Armenia and Azerbaijan for effective participation in the peace process. Mr. Bono also hopes that this progress will continue. In all three of these cities, Mr. Bono will emphasize that the United States is committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region,” the American diplomat said.
