Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

The European Union has expressed deep concerns over the recent escalation of tensions on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani troops.

In a statement, the European Union said it is very concerned about the latest armed clashes which have left a number of casualties along the contact line and the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border.

"We call on both sides to immediately respect the ceasefire, refrain from the use of force or any threat thereof, and continue efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," EU said in its statement on August 3.

The reconnaissance and sabotage groups of Armenia attacked the positions of Azerbaijani armed forces during the recent days.

Over the last five days, Azerbaijani positions have come under attack constantly. At least 13 servicemen have been killed and several others wounded. Despite what is said by Armenian sources, they have suffered more losses.

The EU said it stands ready to engage in renewed efforts towards a political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and to further contribute to peace-building efforts, in full complement with the OSCE Minsk Group.

"We reiterate our full support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the work of the three co-chairs, especially with regard to the need to continue negotiations at the highest level, as was agreed at the meeting between Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents in Vienna on November 19, 2013," the statement reads.

European Parliament adopted a resolution in 2013 which confirmed that Armenian troops have occupied Azerbaijani territories. It also called for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions and the L'Aquila statement of the mediating countries' leaders in 2009.

According to changes to the resolution, the European Parliament recalled its position that the occupation of territory of an Eastern Partnership member by another member state violates the fundamental principles and objectives of the EU program.

The bloody war, which flared up in the late 1980s due to Armenia's territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor, left 700,000 civilians of Nagorno-Karabakh and the regions adjoining it, as well as the regions bordering with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh without homes.

As a result of the military aggression of Armenia, over 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed, 4,866 are reported missing and almost 100,000 were injured, and 50,000 were disabled.

The UN Security Council has passed four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory, but they have not been enforced to this day.