Who is the New US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group?

• 08.24.2017, 19:35
•  America,  NKR

EnergyPact Foundation

The US has already appointed a new Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. From August 28, Andrew Schofer will replace temporary Co-Chair Richard Hoagland

We present a brief biography of the new US Co-Chair.

Andrew Schofer was appointed as a Minister-Counselor at US Department of State in 1991. The new American Co-Chairman previously held senior positions in US representation in the UN office in Vienna, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international organizations in Vienna.

He was the Deputy Chief of Mission at US Embassy in Cyprus. In 2009-2011 he worked as Director of the  Political Training Division at Foreign Service Institute. In 2008-2009 he was Counselor for Narcotics Affairs at the Embassy of the United States in Afghanistan. Before that he was Head of External Affairs Unit, Political Section at the Embassy of US in Russia, then Counselor for Political Affairs at the Embassy of US in Netherlands. In 1991-1995 worked in US embassies first in Kuwait, then in Bahrain as a Political Officer.

Education: Master's Degree in International Affairs at Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs (Class of 1989), Attendee at American University (Class of 1987) and Bachelor's Degree in Political Science & International Relations at Yale University (Class of 1985).

He is married. His wife, Karen Lynn Enstrom, also works at United States Department of State. 

Announcing the appointment of a new US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Richard Hoagland said:

"He is a highly experienced diplomat, who has been recently serving as Charge d’Affaires of the US Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna." He added that Schofer "has experience in the settlement of the Cyprus and other conflicts. I think the Secretary of State and the State Department have chosen a brilliant Co-Chair." "The new Co-Chairs now has complete information about the Karabakh conflict and is ready to assume his duties," he said.

Recall that Richard Hoagland temporarily served as the OSCE MG Co-Chair from the United States from January 2017, after James Warlick moved to a new job.