Italy concerned over recent incidents in KarabakhAugust 16, 2014 - 15:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement over the Karabakh conflict settlement, Tert.am reported. The statement run as follows: “On the occasion of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Rome, July 14, Italy and Azerbaijan agreed to adopt a joint declaration with the intent to further enhance their bilateral political, economic and cultural relations and to explore new horizons of cooperation, including through the involvement of civil society. Part of this all-round cooperation is also the commitment to seek a negotiated settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (with Italy being its member and supporting its principles). In line with its traditional position and in full harmony with that of the European Union, the Italian side considers it necessary to reiterate, even in the context of the Joint Declaration, that the mutual commitment of Rome and Baku should be focused on a peaceful solution to the conflict, based on the rules and principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, as well as the ongoing negotiation process, conducted under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, France, Russia and the United States. In view of the latest developments, Italy is deeply concerned over the recent incidents in the region and, in close cooperation with the EU partners, is urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to refrain from using force and to seize the opportunity for to find a political solution to the conflict, taking advantage of the meeting between President Aliyev and President Sargsyan in Sochi, on August 10.” Related links: 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 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. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. Partner news | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. Armenia to sing in 2nd semi-final of Eurovision The organizers of Eurovision 2024 have revealed the running order of the countries in the two semi-finals. |