BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct. 3
By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:
Targeting residential areas and civilians represents a violation of the international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention of 1949, Romanian MEP Cristian Silviu Busoi told Trend.
“I am deeply concerned by the ceasefire violation and for the lives of the civil population living alongside the front lines in Azerbaijan. There are casualties among both civilians and the military. Targeting residential areas and civilians represents a violation of the international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Convention of 1949,” he said.
He noted that a realistic and correct approach of the situation is needed and the dialogue for defending the peace and stability needs to be promoted.
“And it is essential to condemn and deplore any action or provocation undermining global and regional peace, stability and prosperity. I fully support the UN Security Council resolution adopted on September 29 calling to immediately stop fighting, de-escalate tensions and return to meaningful negotiations without delay,“ Busoi said.
Armenian Armed Forces launched a large-scale military attack on positions of Azerbaijani army on the front line, using large-caliber weapons, mortars and artillery on Sept. 27.
Azerbaijan responded with a counter-offensive along the entire front. As a result of retaliation, Azerbaijani troops liberated a number of territories previously occupied by Armenia, as well as take important, strategic heights under control.
Military actions continued on Sept. 29 - Oct. 1. According to a statement from Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, the Armenian armed forces have suffered heavy losses along the entire front line from Sept. 27 through Sept. 30, including tanks, armored vehicles, artillery installations, rocket launch systems, as well as command and observation posts, air defense systems, etc.
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, 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 the withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts.