We are deeply concerned and disappointed over the recent reports on the intensive and fatal violation of the existing ceasefire between Azerbaijan and Armenia by Armenian Armed Forces and Armenian-backed separatist armed groups as from July 31 with a view to derailing the internationally-brokered negotiations on the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Not coincidentally, the provocative and border-infiltration actions, across the Armenia border and from the Armenian-backed separatist forces illegally occupying the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and adjacent districts, that recently resulted in the death of 13 Azerbaijani soldiers and shooting of Azerbaijani civilians including children in the bordering villages of Azerbaijan happen as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia flares up to its peak.
Further inspired by separatist movements in the region to achieve recognition of so-called “Nagorno Karabakh Republic” in the internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan, Armenia attempts to torpedo the ongoing negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group on the peaceful settlement of the conflict, and to destabilize the region where Azerbaijan, as a major source of energy resources, is seen as the main alternative oil and gas provider for the European Union. This happens amid the European Union’s endeavour to diversify its energy sources to reduce its reliance on Russian supplies.
In order to protect the stability in the region and the ongoing peaceful negotiations process between the parties, we call upon the international community to maintain a consistent approach to all cases of foreign-backed separatism, condemn illegal annexation activities, increase pressure on the Armenian government and impose strict sanctions on Armenia to prevent the flare-up of the conflict.
According to the latest information, the Armenian Armed Forces continue to violate the ceasefire although international organizations such as the United Nations and OSCE and foreign governments including of the United States, United Kingdom and Russia have called the parties to respect the ceasefire agreement.
Information about the Nagorno Karabakh Conflict:
Nagorno Karabakh is an internationally recognized sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, recognized by the all UN member countries including Australia.
The conflict in Azerbaijan’s multi-cultural southwest region of Nagorno Karabakh erupted towards the end of Soviet rule in 1988 when Armenian military secessionists, taking advantage of the chaos amid the loss of government control, started to drive out non-Armenian ethnic groups to proclaim an ‘independent country’.
The conflict still remains one of the most dangerous, fragile unfrozen conflicts in the post-Soviet Europe. A ceasefire was agreed in 1994 to pave the way for the peaceful negotiations after 30,000 deaths over six years. Azerbaijan has nearly 1 million refugees and internally displayed persons as a result of the conflict.
The UN Security Council has to date issued 4 resolutions (#822, #853, #874, #884) on unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, in addition to the repeated resolutions by the UN General Assembly.
There are similar resolutions by Council of Europe (CoE), European Parliament (EP), European Union (EU), Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) and other international organizations.
The OSCE Minsk Group, co-chaired by the United States, France and Russia, has been endeavoring to broker a negotiated deal to end the deadly conflict within the cardinal principles of international law and the UN, including territorial integrity and inviolability of sovereign borders.