In Germany, the Bundestag 'Die Linke' faction [the Left] has issued a statement in connection with the escalation of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. In it, the deputies urged both parties to cease hostilities.
"Clashes must cease, in order to prevent the resumption of a full-scale war," the statement says.
The status of Nagorno-Karabakh itself can only be determined through a democratic referendum, with the participation of both groups of the population.
Die Linke urges the German government to support these proposals and work closely with the most active member of the OSCE Minsk Group – the Russian Federation.
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 the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
