UN Sec.Gen. calls for peace in South Caucasus
By Rashid Shirinov
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged for reinforcing mutual trust and respect to strengthen stability and cooperation both within Europe and beyond.
Guterres made the remarks while addressing the UN Security Council debate on the topic ‘Maintenance of international peace and security: Conflicts in Europe’ , the UN News Centre reported on February 22.
“I urge all stakeholders to avoid unilateral steps or attempts to create facts on the ground, which further complicate and endanger efforts to find negotiated settlements,” he said.
“This is especially relevant in view of the latest actions taken in relation to the conflicts in eastern Ukraine and the South Caucasus,” he stressed, urging all sides to give the highest priority to protecting civilians.
Guterres went on to speak about challenges to peace in different parts of Europe, such as in the Balkans, Cyprus, Georgia, Moldova and South Caucasus.
“I encourage Member States, the Council, regional mechanisms and all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to define a peace and security agenda to address today's complex challenges,” Guterres urged.
He added that the status quo is not sustainable in conflict zones.
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. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.
Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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