The OSCE Minsk Group, which met today in full composition in Vienna, has published a final statement, urging the sides of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to cease using force.
"We, the representatives of the co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group countries (Russia, USA, France, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Turkey), as well as the future chairman of the OSCE in 2017 of Austria, and the previous chairman of the OSCE (2015) Serbia, strongly condemn the outbreak of unprecedented violence along the frontline. We express our condolences to the families of all the victims. We urge the parties to immediately cease the use of force, as there is no military solution to the conflict,'' the document informs.
The Minsk Group also called for the beginning of immediate negotiations under the auspices of the co-chairs to reach a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. "Representatives of the member countries of the Minsk Group confirmed their support for the efforts of the co-chairs Russia, the USA and France, and welcome dplans to hold direct consultations with the parties as soon as possible,'' the statement informs.
Recall all the border positions of Azerbaijan on the night of April 2, were subjected to intense fire from large-caliber weapons, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and artillery units of Armenian Armed Forces. In addition, a number of shots were fired at settlements near the frontline, densely populated by civilians.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts (20% of the Azerbaijan's territory) are still occupied by the Armenian armed forces.
In May 1994, the parties reached a ceasefire agreement during negotiations, which are still continuing under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group and co-chairs Russia, France and the US.
The UN Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions hasn't been carried out by Armenia yet.
