Unresolved Karabakh conflict impedes stability in region - EU

By Azernews

By Rashid Shirinov

The unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains an obstacle to increasing stability and prosperity in the region, reads the reference material published on the website of the European Union on June 19.

The EU noted that it firmly believes that the conflict needs an early political settlement in accordance with the principles and norms of international law.

Since 2003, the EU Special Representative has been working to facilitate dialogue between the EU and the countries of the region, and to assist the EU in developing a comprehensive policy towards these countries, the reference material reads.

“The EU, including through its Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, supports and complements the efforts of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (France, Russia and the U.S.) to facilitate the resolution of the conflict,” the statement says.

The EU also noted that it promotes peace-building activities on both sides of the conflict.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region 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. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Until now, Armenia controls fifth part of Azerbaijan’s territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding regions.