Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Slovenia’s National Council called for peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

The National Council of Slovenia discussed the initiative to support the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict at its 24th plenary session on December 10. The council also adopted a decision calling a renewed emphasis on the peace processes in the area of Nagorno-Karabakh under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. The decision is based on Article 98 of the National Council’s rules.

The Slovenian MPs supported the efforts of international organizations to establish peace and stability in the region. This settlement needs to be based on international law and the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, according to the National Council.

“In particular, the settlement must be based on four UN Security Council resolutions passed on this conflict. These resolutions call for the immediate withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from Azerbaijan and a swift and safe return of internally displaced persons to their homes,” the National Council said.

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

Slovenia’s National Council added that the EU supports the work of the OSCE Minsk Group for a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.

It proposed the Slovenian government to support Azerbaijan’s calls to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh peacefully and through negotiations.

“Both sides emphasize that they are willing to resolve the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh with peace negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group and call upon one another to refrain from further escalation of the situation. In pursuit of a negotiated settlement, Azerbaijan regularly proposed a resolution on the settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the United Nations. It has also proposed the resolution to the parliaments of individual countries. National Council of Slovenia has proposed the Slovenian government to support the initiative,” National Council said.

The search for a peaceful settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh is carries out under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group which is co-chaired by France, Russia, the United States and the OSCE. The Group is the mediator between the two sides and the only official format in which discussions take place.

Peace talks are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles. The negotiations have been largely fruitless so far.