Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly expressed deep concern over recent deadly violence along the contact line and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

OSCE PA's Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Joao Soares urged all parties to the conflict to recommit themselves to finding a peaceful resolution, the statement issued by OSCE PA said.

"The deteriorating security conditions and the current escalation in and around Nagorno-Karabakh demonstrate once again that the world cannot accept a conflict that remains 'frozen' for more than 20 years. All sides must refrain from acts of violence and provocation, especially against civilians, and urgently recommit themselves to a lasting, diplomatic resolution. The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan must begin this week in Sochi," Soares said.

Armenia escalated tensions on the border areas from July 31 to August 1, when reconnaissance and sabotage groups tried to cross the contact line of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops through the territories of Aghdam and Terter regions. They also attacked the positions of Azerbaijani armed forces on the night of August 1-2.

Thirteen Azerbaijani servicemen were killed and several others injured during the clashes between two sides.

Despite what is said by Armenian sources, they suffered more losses. However, the Armenian leadership tries to keep the number of losses in secret to keep calm its public opinion.

"The international community, and the OSCE, in particular, must also take a fresh look at efforts to resolve the conflict and consider new ideas and mechanisms that can be implemented," Soares added.

He also called on the Armenian and Azerbaijani governments to support parliamentary and other forms of contact between their governments and societies.

The OSCE PA's Special Representative on the South Caucasus is mandated by the Assembly's President to follow the overall political situation in the region and seek to promote dialogue and confidence-building in all segments of society, in particular at the parliamentary level, in order to encourage reconciliation in the region.

The precarious cease-fire between Azerbaijan and Armenia was reached after a lengthy war that displaced over a million Azerbaijanis and has been in place between the two South Caucasus countries since 1994. Since the hostilities, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

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

Peace talks mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.