Geneva, May 18, 2000

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
BY THE
CO-CHAIRS OF THE MINSK GROUP

At the initiative of the three co-chairs of the Minsk Group, and with the agreement of the current OSCE Presidency, an information meeting on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh was held in Geneva on Thursday, May 18, 2000.

The purpose of the meeting was to inform international organizations and institutions that might participate in the rehabilitation and development of the region affected by the conflict. Should a solution be found, it is important that the international community be ready to respond in as rapid and efficient a manner as possible to implement the humanitarian or economic aspects of an accord.

With this in view, the international organizations and institutions present at the meeting were invited to participate in preparing for an evaluation mission to the region. The timing of this mission will be set by the three co-chairs of the Minsk group based on the evolution of the situation. The mission will visit Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno-Karabakh in order to assess the requirements for resettlement, rehabilitating infrastructure, and reviving economic activity in the framework of regional cooperation