On October 15, 2014, the European Parliament Nagorno Karabakh Group was presented with the assistance of European Friends of Armenia, aiming to support civil society and democratic governance, as well as European values within Nagorno Karabakh. Following the French and Lithuanian parliaments that have already established similar groups, members of the European Parliament are creating the first international group, spanning over national borders, EuFoA reported.

Several Members of the European Parliament have committed to the group’s membership, with MEP Frank Engel from the EPP Group heading it.

With nationally diverse members from various European political families, the Nagorno Karabakh Group will facilitate contacts between EU officials and CSOs with representatives of Nagorno Karabakh at all levels, including civil society and will also promote study visits to the region. The informal group is also concerned with Nagorno Karabakh’s representation and presence for NK in international forums and EU programs.

The European Parliament has stated that the EU, through complementary confidence building measures, can support the Minsk Group’s efforts to solve the decades-old conflict between Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh and the group will contribute to these endeavors.