May 12 marks 16 years of ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh

May 12, 2010 - 11:27 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - May 12 marks 16 years of ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh, under Russia’s mediation.

As OSCE Minsk Group Russian Co-chair in 1992-1996, Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov says, there is no other agreement of the kind in the international practice.

“Russia has always given priority to a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” he says. “Following Russia’s proposal, on July 3, 1992, the OSCE MG called on the parties to suspend hostilities for 30 days. A similar attempt was made on August 5, 1992. Some of short-term agreements were prolonged, some failed. In September-October 1993, ceasefire was maintained for 50 days. The historical meeting in Bishkek was summoned on the initiative of Russia, CIS Interparliamentary Assembly and Kyrgyz parliament speaker.”

“16 years of ceasefire is a period sufficient to find a mutually acceptable agreement for a conflict resolution. However, no breakthrough is expected in the near future,” the diplomat concluded.

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.