Today.Az » Politics » Status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is increasingly untenable: International Crisis Group
08 October 2009 [08:58] - Today.Az
“Armenia and Azerbaijan should endorse a document on basic principles to end stalemate on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by the end of the year, or they will face an eventual return to full-scale hostilities”, said the International Crisis Group in its latest policy briefing “Nagorno-Karabakh: Getting to a Breakthrough”, which examines two-decades-old conflict, ICG Caucasus Project Directorate in Tbilisi said.
The International Crisis Group concludes there is reason for optimism that the political stalemate can be broken in today’s more supportive regional environment.
However, it also warns that both governments and the international community must step up their efforts, as the status quo is increasingly untenable.
“Although a deliberate military offensive from either side is unlikely in the near future, the ceasefire that ended active hostilities fifteen years ago is increasingly fragile”, says Lawrence Sheets, Crisis Group’s Caucasus Project Director.
“There has been a steady increase in the frequency and intensity of armed skirmishes that could unintentionally spark a wider conflict”.
The International Crisis Group calls on the international community, in particular the U.S., France and Russia as co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, to intensify efforts to encourage Armenia and Azerbaijan to formally endorse the basic principles document and then open negotiations on a conclusive peace accord.
/APA/
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