Lavrov urges for approximation of positions in Karabakh settlementDecember 5, 2013 - 18:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Unresolved conflicts in the OSCE area continue to create problems for the organization, Russian Foreign Minister said addressing the 20th meeting of OSCE Ministerial Council, APA reports. Sergei Lavrov noted that Russia continues to support dialogue for the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict: “Meanwhile, Russia and other co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group continue efforts to bring closer the positions of the conflicting parties in resolving the Nagorno Karabakh issue, while adhering to the principles previously proposed by the Presidents of the co-chairing countries.” Russian Minister emphasized the importance of protecting stability in the South Caucasus. He recalled that Russia proposed a draft document on basic principles of elimination of conflicts and crises in the OSCE area 4 years ago: “This draft document is still on the table and we believe its adoption is very important.” 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. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |