Statement on Nagorno Karabakh published on European Parliament’s website

"Nagorno-Karabakh is a territory within the recognized borders of Azerbaijan with an ethnic Armenian majority".

The statement also quoted the words of EP president Jerzy Buzek: “In my talks, I underlined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within internationally recognized borders. The EU strongly supports the international effort to resolve the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh centered around the framework of the Minsk Group and a peaceful solution on the basis of the Madrid principles.”

We bring the following statement to your attention:

Nagorno-Karabakh - an unresolved conflict in South Caucasus

Nagorno-Karabakh is a territory within the recognised borders of Azerbaijan with an ethnic Armenian majority.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988, and a ceasefire agreement was signed in 1994. International mediation still has not yet established a lasting peace. Recently EP president Jerzy Buzek visited the area and on 15 June the Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing about the situation there.

The Nagorno Karabakh region claims statehood, but is not recognized even by Armenia. Despite the ceasefire, tensions still run high, there are acts of violence frequently reported by the media.

Attempts to resolve the conflict

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE, through the Minsk group, under the co-chairmanship of Russia, France and the US is trying to find a lasting solution. Among the principles for a settlement, known as the Madrid principles, are:

• the return of the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijani control
• determining the final legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh
• the right of all internally displaced persons and refugees to return to their former places of residence

During a recent visit to Azerbaijan, Mr Buzek said: "In my talks, I underlined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within internationally recognized borders. The EU strongly supports the international effort to resolve the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh centred around the framework of the Minsk Group and a peaceful solution on the basis of the Madrid principles."

Implications for the region

The conflict has left Armenia diplomatically isolated and dependent on Russia. Since the closure of the border with Turkey, the only overland transport options available to Armenia are Georgia and Iran. So pipelines from the Caspian Sea to Turkey have been built through Georgia, not Armenia, while a rail link from Azerbaijan to Turkey circumvents Armenia.


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