Baku: 'As a former U.S. co-chair of the Minsk Group, I can say that its time has really come and gone,' said Richard Hoagland, former US Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, in a statement to AZERTAC. Hoagland expressed his belief that the group's purpose has been fulfilled following recent developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Hoagland highlighted the group's long-standing role in negotiating between Azerbaijan and Armenia to address the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. He noted that despite decades of diplomatic efforts, a solution was only achieved when Karabakh was officially recognized as part of Azerbaijan. While acknowledging that certain details still need to be resolved, Hoagland emphasized the positive progress as Baku and Yerevan collaborate directly, rendering the Minsk Group's involvement obsolete. He urged a focus on future cooperation between the two capitals.