Today.Az » Politics » EU: Status quo in Karabakh conflict unsustainable
19 May 2017 [11:16] - Today.Az


By Azernews


By Rashid Shirinov

The status quo in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unsustainable, reads the report on the Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Review by the EU.

“The conflict does not have a military solution and needs a political settlement as soon as possible in accordance with international law,” the report reads, further elaborating that the EU continues to support a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

The report stated that the EU continues to fully support the mediation efforts and proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs.

There was also noted that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict saw a serious escalation in 2016. “The EU continues to call on both sides to respect the ceasefire, tone down rhetoric and engage in substantive talks towards peace under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.”

“Frequent visits of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) to the region are supporting the Minsk Group Co-Chairs' efforts and ongoing peacebuilding activities and are a demonstration of the EU interest and stake in the peaceful resolution of this protracted conflict,” reads the report.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign state with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.

Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.



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