December 3, 2012 - 21:06 AMT
Karabakh’s final status must be determined by its citizens, MEPs say

The statement adopted at an Armenia-EU interparliamentary cooperation sitting at Brussels stresses that there is no alternative to peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the committee chair Samvel Farmanyan said.

“Expressing concern at a lack of progress in conflict settlement talks, the document emphasized a need to abandon the status quo in favor of a safe future,” Mr. Farmanyan said, noting the clause as important in the light of Azerbaijan’s intensified military rhetoric.

According to the document, the final status of Nagorno Karabakh must be determined through free will of Artsakh citizens. The statement also urges to pull snipers form the line of contact, as demanded by OSCE Minsk Group and international organizations.

The document also stressed Armenia’s support for a March 2011 statement adopted by Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani leaders, calling to form a mechanism for investigation of incidents and ceasefire violations at contact line.