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.