Peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict has no alternative: EU

November 4, 2015 - 13:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no alternative, an EU official said at a meeting with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

According to Foreign Ministry press office, the Special Representative for South Caucasus and crisis in Georgia Herbert Salber and Minister Nalbandian stressed the importance of the mandate, envisaging a new EU-Armenia agreement.

The parties discussed Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs' efforts towards the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Salber reaffirmed the EU support for the negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group format.

The EU Representative also met with President Serzh Sargsyan, who stressed the importance of frequent meetings and discussions. Sargsyan hailed the EU’s balanced position on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The President further expressed readiness to continue constructive cooperation to help maintain and promote peace, stability and security in the region.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out as result of the ethnic cleansing launched by the Azeri authorities in the final years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 (when the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was proclaimed) to 1994 (when a ceasefire was sealed by Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan). Most of Nagorno Karabakh and a security zone consisting of 7 regions are now under control of NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.