OSCE PA concerned by escalation of tension on frontline
The OSCE PA expressed its concern about the recent rise in
tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani front-line and called on all
parties to exercise the utmost restraint and demonstrate commitment
to a diplomatic solution, said Richard Solash, Director of
Communications OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
The situation on the frontline remains tense, as the Armenian armed
forces have broken the ceasefire with Azerbaijan 124 times during
the last 24 hours. This comes as the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry
said in total 17 Armenian soldiers have been eliminated by the
Azerbaijani side due to various provocations on the frontline in
January.
"The OSCE PA has repeatedly voiced its support for peaceful,
diplomatic resolution to the conflict and supports the OSCE Minsk
Group in its efforts to reduce tensions and work towards that
resolution," he told Trend.
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.
The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the US are
currently holding peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet
implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on the liberation
of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.
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