Mandate of the Co-Chairmen of the Conference on Nagorno-Karabakh under the auspices of the OSCE (“Minsk Conference”)

March 23, 1995

Vienna 

The Co-Chairmen are appointed by the Chairman-in-Office;

The Co-Chairmen will be guided in their activities by the principles and norms of the OSCE, the United Nations Charter, decisions of the OSCE fora, including the decisions by the Council of Ministers on 24 March 1992 and particularly the Budapest Summit Decision, and as applicable resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

The Co-Chairmen will in their work be guided by the objectives of the Minsk Conference, e. promoting a resolution of the conflict without the use of force and in particular facilitating negotiations for a peaceful and comprehensive settlement, according to the rules of procedure as these are stated in the decisions of the 10th meeting of the CSO of the CSCE.

The Co-Chairmen will realize full co-ordination in all mediating and negotiating activities, harmonizing them into a single coordinated effort within the framework of the OSCE;

The Co-Chairmen will, jointly and in full parity, on the basis of impartiality:

  1. Make joint efforts in order to strengthen the cease-fire;
  2. Develop a common basis for negotiations with the parties to the conflict;
  3. Conduct negotiations with the parties to the conflict for the conclusion of a political agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict, drawing upon the progress achieved in previous mediating activities;
  4. Promote direct contacts, as appropriate, including substantial talks among the parties to the conflict;
  5. Continue working with the parties to the conflict on confidence-building measures, particularly in the humanitarian field, synchronizing them with the political process;
  6. Assist the Chairman-in-Office in developing a plan for the establishment, composition and operation of a multinational OSCE peacekeeping force;
  7. Forward to the Chairman-in-Office the received approvals and formal requests by the parties to the conflict concerning the OSCE peacekeeping operation;
  8. Report to the Chairman-in-Office on the process of negotiations with the parties to the conflict on a draft mandate, Memoranda of Understanding and provisions of guaranties for the safety at all times of personnel involved;
  9. Jointly chair the regular consultations of the Minsk Group, dispatch jointly to the Minsk Group members, documents, information and proposals, including proposals on the dates and venues of the Minsk Group meetings and the set of issues to be discussed;
  10. Jointly and continuously inform and consult with the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and jointly inform, on a regular basis, the Permanent Council of the OSCE on the progress of their work;
  11. After consultations with the CiO, jointly inform, the President of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Secretary-General on the progress of the Minsk process and on all aspects of the situation on the ground, on the implementation of its relevant resolutions as well as on the present and future co-operation between the OSCE and the United Nations in this regard; when necessary, and after appropriate consultation with the CiO, present to the United Nations considerations and proposals concerning new resolutions that might be adopted by the United Nations Security Council in the interests of the peaceful settlement of the conflict;
  12. Visit jointly, or when appropriate separately, on an agreed basis, the region of conflict to maintain contacts with parties to the conflict concerning the above-mentioned and other related issues;
  13. Upon consultation with the CiO, maintain necessary contacts with the ICRC, the UNHCR and other relevant international and regional organizations and institutions.
  14. Jointly chair the Minsk Conference and the preparatory meetings leading to it.
  15. The Co-Chairmen will co-operate with the Personal Representative of the Chairman-in- Office in accordance with provisions, contained in the Mandate of the Personal Representative.