Kerry names new envoy to mediate conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday named a new envoy to mediate the long-running conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

James Warlick was tapped as the next U.S. co-chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, which comprises Russia and France as well.

"Ambassador Warlick brings extensive experience in Europe and Eurasia to this position," Kerry said in a statement. "The United States remains firmly committed to helping the sides reach a lasting and peaceful settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

Warlick served as deputy special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan and lead negotiator for the Bilateral Security Agreement with Afghanistan. He was ambassador to Bulgaria from 2009 to 2012, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs from 2006 to 2009, and director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs from 2005 to 2006.

"He is a first-rate diplomat, and I am confident that he will do a tremendous job in this critical post," Kerry said.

He said Warlick will assume his new post in September.

Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been controlled by Armenian troops and ethnic forces since a separatist war broke out in 1988. The two South Caucasus countries signed a cease-fire agreement in 1994 but skirmishes have broken out time and again despite repeated mediation by the Minsk Group.

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