BAKU, November 2. /TASS/. Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group welcome reducing tensions in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and support the readiness of Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders to continue dialogue aimed at resolving the problem, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said in a press statemen released on Friday.

"In their meetings with the Co-Chairs, the leaders in both capitals confirmed that the level of violence has fallen significantly since they reaffirmed in Dushanbe their commitment to reduce tensions. In their consultations, the Co-Chairs received additional details about the implementation of the Dushanbe understanding, including with regard to the establishment of direct communication links. The Co-Chairs welcomed these developments, commended the sides for implementing constructive measures in good faith, and expressed support for the leaders’ readiness to continue their dialogue.

"The Co-Chairs stressed the importance of sustaining a climate of trust for intensive negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," OSCE added noting that "the Foreign Ministers agreed to meet again before the end of the year."

Russia's Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Igor Popov said earlier that he does not rule out that Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers may meet on the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan scheduled for December. The press service of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry told TASS on Friday that "the time and place of the meeting have not been confirmed yet."

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh started in February 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its exit from the Azerbaijani Soviet Socialist Republic. In the armed conflict of 1992-1993, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent areas.

Since 1992, talks have been underway on peaceful settlement of the conflict in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group with three Co-Chairs - Russia, France and the US. The OSCE Minsk Group also includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, Italy, Portugal the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Turkey.