The United Kingdom welcomes the ceasefire agreement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area agreed by Azerbaijan and Armenia. UK Deputy Head of Delegation to OSCE Nicola Murray said on Friday.
"The United Kingdom welcomes the fact that the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to end the fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. It is clear that with the increasing numbers of civilian casualties and displaced persons, as well as the rising number of COVID-19 cases, a ceasefire was urgently needed," the statement posted today on the UK government's website reads.
She expressed hope that the peace deal will prevent further loss of life and will hopefully move the parties closer towards a fully negotiated settlement.
"As the fighting subsides and winter sets in, we urge both parties to prioritise the humanitarian situation with a particular focus on the needs of women and children. Both the UNHCR and the ICRC should be given full access and support to provide much needed aid to civilians. We call on all parties to act responsibly and in good faith in enabling the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance," Murray stressed.
She added that the UK would like to reiterate its support for the OSCE Minsk Group as the primary format through which any final settlement is reached. "We urge all parties to work closely with the Co-Chairs in support of their efforts," the UK Deputy Head of Delegation to OSCE concluded.
