Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan made a first move in the right direction, and demonstrates the commitment for peace and needs an appropriate response from the other side, said Ilir Rexhep Meta, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament.

“We therefore call for the immediate withdrawal of the military forces of Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions,” Meta told European Azerbaijan Society’s (TEAS), while commenting on the military provocation and violation of the ceasefire by the Armenian forces on the contact line separating the Azerbaijani and Armenian forces.

“Albania is very much concerned about the escalation of violence, demolition of civilian facilities and casualties in human lives occurring during the recent crisis over the frozen conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh region.

We support efforts of international community and the call for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation of the situation and protection of civilian population. International law and rights must prevail and parties must negotiate for a comprehensive, final and long-standing settlement in respect of all UNSC Resolutions. This crystal clear acknowledgement, also shared by the EU and the OSCE, has to be the base of every stable solution of this conflict,” he said.

He reminded that based on these acts and principles, the region of Nagorno-Karabakh constitutes an integral part of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Minsk Group is the right platform to involve all actors to negotiate and facilitate this solution.

“Albania believes that the principle of territorial integrity is a pivotal discipline in interaction of modern states, and that includes the condemnation of occupation and displacement. Albania fully backs the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. It is highly relevant for the international community to make all and sincere efforts for a safe return of the refugees to their homes as soon as conditions allow,” he said.

Every aggression has to be stopped and prevented otherwise its consequences can be devastating. Especially the life of innocent civilians needs to be protected, Speaker of Albanian Parliament noted.

“The on-going refugee crisis in the Middle East, Balkans and Europe is a bad example of conflicts not being contained. This has to be the main objective of all international cooperation. Peace and stability in Azerbaijan and the wider region are very important for Albania, Balkans and Europe. The strategic projects on energy diversification, energy security and the future of Southern Gas Corridor are vital and must not be jeopardized from another conflict,” he added.

For over two decades, Azerbaijan and Armenia have been locked in conflict which emerged over Armenia's territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions.

Over the entire period of its existence, the OSCE Minsk Group, which acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, failed to move forward in resolving the long lasting conflict.

The situation on the frontline aggravated on April 2 after the Armenian military units in the occupied lands started shelling Azerbaijan’s positions.

To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took over Lele Tepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region.

The hostilities renewed in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on April 4, as the Armenian side continued to shell the Azerbaijani positions although the Azerbaijani side announced unilateral ceasefire on April 3.

The Azerbaijani Army destroyed about 370 enemy soldiers since the start of the hostilities, according to the defense ministry.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed to cease operations on the line of contact starting from 12.00, April 5.