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International Crisis Group: Active involvement of international community needed in resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Materials 26 September 2013 15:49 (UTC +04:00)
Confrontation, low-intensity but volatile, between Armenia and Azerbaijan has entered a period of heightened sensitivity, a report of the International Crisis Group said.
International Crisis Group: Active involvement of international community needed in resolution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 26 /Trend E.Tariverdiyeva/

Confrontation, low-intensity but volatile, between Armenia and Azerbaijan has entered a period of heightened sensitivity, a report of the International Crisis Group said.

According to the organization's report, the peace talks on Nagorno-Karabakh bogged down in 2011, which lead to strident rhetoric.

An immediate concern is military miscalculation, because their consequences will be quite dangerous, as the South Caucasus, a region where big powers compete for influence, is now also a major energy corridor. Vigorous international engagement is needed to lessen chances of violent escalation during coming weeks and months, the report said.

According to the authors of the document, the strong and coordinated international pressure needed to break the diplomatic deadlock is lacking.

There is scepticism in both capitals, as well as among third-countries, that the officially designated mediators from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Minsk Group - led by Russia, the U.S. and France - can deliver results, International Crisis Group noted.

According to the document authors, the near-term threats to stability are becoming more acute. Intensified regular contacts as well as meetings between ministers and parliamentarians can help in this regard, the document read.

Russia, which is highly influential in all aspects of the conflict and would be, should act more decisively to broker an agreement, the report said.

The document authors believe that, Moscow should announce a suspension of arms supplies to both sides. Other suppliers, including South Korea and Israel, should be encouraged to do the same, the experts of the International Crisis Group believe.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan.

Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

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