OSCE Ministeril Council: Nagorno Karabakh talks need new wind
By Rashid Shirinov
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is concerned over the recent developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the opening of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains dangerous and it is necessary to hold negotiations to find a solution to this conflict, said Steinmeier, who is also OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, adding that in April, there was an escalation in the conflict zone, which shows that there is a danger of re-ignition of the conflict.
Noting the importance of the humanitarian aspects of the conflict’s resolution, Steinmeier added that the ceasefire must be consolidated in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and that there is need to start negotiations on a political solution.
Over the past 20 years of unsuccessful peace talks between the aggressor country Armenia and its suffering neighbor country Azerbaijan was casting a shadow over the security of the region. Once again, the conflict emerged as the real and big danger to the security and development of the region in April 2016 – mainly because of the inactivity of the mediators and international community.
The necessity of resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was also raised by OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, who stated that the conflict resolution depends on political will of the sides to the conflict.
"The aim of the OSCE is to provide opportunities for negotiations. However each of the parties should take advantage of these opportunities," Zannier said, stressing that the conflict parties need to make efforts to find a solution.
Zannier further highlighted that he supports the position of Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the need to give new impetus to the work of the OSCE Minsk Group.
The OSCE Minsk Group, the activities of which have become known as the Minsk Process, works to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for over two decades, but in vain.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains a cause of concern for the OSCE member countries, US Secretary of State John Kerry said at the event.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini also touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in her speech.
"EU hopes for progress in the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict following the previously reached agreements," she said at the Ministerial.
Mogherini added that the sides to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should seek to establish a lasting peace in the region.
France has previously proposed to hold a meeting in the format of 3+2 [three co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group and Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers] on the sidelines of the Ministerial in Hamburg.
Soon after that, the Azerbaijani side informed that it backs the proposal on the meeting. However, Armenia hasn’t confirmed its consent.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.
Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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