OSCE calls for sustainable ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh region

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Tuesday strongly condemned the violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, urging sides to respect the ceasefire agreement.

At a special meeting of OSCE Minsk Group countries, including Russia, the United States, France, Belarus, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Turkey, participants welcomed the news about the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire, urging sides involved in the conflict to respect the agreement reached and cease using force immediately.

They stressed that it is important to return to the political process on the basis of a sustainable ceasefire.

"(OSCE) Minsk Group countries strongly condemn the outbreak of unprecedented violence along the Line of Contact... There is no military solution to the conflict," OSCE noted in a statement.

The OSCE Minsk Group countries also welcome the plan to undertake direct consultations with sides as soon as possible.

In the meeting, OSCE participating states voiced concern over the latest escalation of violence in the region, saying "it is necessary for the OSCE to continue playing a central role in facilitating a peaceful settlement."

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said: "Reports on the cessation of hostilities are encouraging. Our immediate efforts must now focus on stabilizing the ceasefire and preventing any new escalation. Hostilities must stop in an effective and lasting way."

Armenian and Azerbaijani defense ministries both confirmed Tuesday that a ceasefire agreement in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is currently being prepared.

Recent hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the contact line of the mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh region flared up overnight Saturday with the two countries blaming each other for triggering the escalation.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a bitter dispute over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh first broke out in 1988, when the enclave dominated by ethnic Armenians claimed independence from Azerbaijan and declared to join Armenia.

Peace talks have been held since 1994 when a ceasefire was reached, but there have been occasional minor clashes.

Source: XINHUA