PACE co-rapporteurs concerned over situation around Karabakh conflict

The co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) have expressed concern about the situation around the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Trend reports.

PACE co-rapporteurs are seriously concerned over the latest developments on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies, said Stefan Schennach, head of the PACE Monitoring Committee and co-rapporteur of PACE for the monitoring of Azerbaijan.

t is necessary to make every effort to maintain the ceasefire so that to prevent casualties on the line of contact, he said, the ArmenianReport website reported.

PACE adopted a written declaration on the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on Apr.19. The document was signed by 44 MPs.

"Being convinced that a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no alternative, the Parliamentary Assembly reiterates its continuous support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, the only internationally agreed mediation format, to reach a lasting and just settlement of this conflict," said the document.

"Therefore, we urge to respect the continuous calls made by the Minsk Group co-chairs not to undermine their mandate and complicate the ongoing negotiations," said PACE.

"We share the concerns regarding the increase of tensions in the conflict zone. The use of heavy weaponry, such as mortars and rocket launchers, is unacceptable and presents a serious danger to civilian population. We deeply regret the loss of lives, including civilians", reads the document.

The creation of a mechanism to investigate ceasefire violations together with other proposals of the Minsk Group co-chairs on confidence building measures and consolidation of 1994 ceasefire agreement will contribute to the reduction of tensions and the creation of a more favorable atmosphere for advancing peace talks, according to PACE.

Recall, on the night of April 2 all frontier positions of Azerbaijan were exposed to heavy fire from large-caliber weapons, mortars, grenade launchers and guns. In addition, Azerbaijani settlements near the front line, densely populated by civilians, were shelled.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20% of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US, are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the UN Security Council's four resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.