Philip Ricker, US co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and senior adviser on Caucasus negotiations, is leaving his post. This was announced by US State Department spokesman Ned Price during the daily press briefing.
“Today we announce the departure of Ambassador Philip Ricker as senior adviser on Caucasus negotiations. His work in this position has contributed to the peace-building process in the complex Caucasus region. His contribution reaffirms that the US values the bilateral negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan towards establishing a lasting peace, as well as our priority regarding the preservation of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Already last year, when Ambassador Ricker was appointed to this position, we knew that it would be short-term. His departure in no way undermines the US commitment to peace, security, stability, democracy and development in the Caucasus. We will remain engaged in bilateral contacts, including together with the EU and the OSCE, to support the establishment of direct dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the effort to find solutions to issues related to or arising from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Price said.
