Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr.18
By Anakhanum Khidayatova - Trend:
Although the Council of Europe has no a direct mandate, the parliamentary diplomacy can help bring closer the positions of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict parties, says President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Pedro Agramunt.
Addressing the spring session of PACE in Strasbourg Apr.18, he said the recent escalation of the situation on the line of contact between Armenian and Azerbaijani armies has led to numerous casualties among civilians as well.
"The territorial integrity of 47 member states [of the Council of Europe] should be respected," he added. "I condemn violence. We should be cautious to the highest extent in this matter and avoid excessive criticism."
Agramunt noted that both sides should ensure the de-escalation of the situation and stop violence.
"International law provides a legal basis for a peaceful settlement of the conflict," said the PACE president. "Armenia and Azerbaijan should fulfill their commitments under the international law and achieve a peaceful settlement to the conflict."
He added that this issue will remain a primary topic on the organization's agenda.
On the night of April 2, 2016, all the frontier positions of Azerbaijan were subjected to heavy fire from the Armenian side, which used large-caliber weapons, mortars and grenade launchers.
The armed clashes resulted in deaths and injuries among the Azerbaijani population. Azerbaijan responded with a counter-attack, which led to liberation of several strategic heights and settlements.
Military operations were stopped on the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian armies on Apr. 5 at 12:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours) with the consent of the sides, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry earlier said. Ignoring the agreement, the Armenian side again started violating the ceasefire.
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 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
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