Status quo in Nagorno Karabakh unacceptable: U.S. envoy

PanARMENIAN.Net - The status quo in Nagorno Karabakh is neither acceptable nor sustainable, with no military solution to the conflict existing, U.S. Permanent Representative to the OSCE said at the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday, February 11, APA reports.

According to Daniel B. Baer, the U.S. as a Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group will continue working with the sides to achieve a lasting, negotiated settlement of the Karabakh conflict based on the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Helsinki Final Act.

Baer expressed regret over the escalated violence along the line of contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border. “The U.S. shares the Minsk Group's concerns, condemning the use of mortars and other heavy weaponry that has caused civilian casualties. We echo the Co-chairs’ appeals to the sides, urging them to take immediate steps to reduce tensions and protect lives,” he added.

The U.S. strongly supports the Co-chairs’ efforts to facilitate an intensified dialogue between the Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents and to establish structured negotiations in order to make progress towards a peaceful settlement, Baer stressed.

The situation has considerably escalated on the line of contact between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan on the night of February 11-12.

Azerbaijani armed forces fired over 4500 shots from various caliber weapons, including 60-mm mortars, RPG-7, AGS-9 and AGS-17 grenade launchers in ceasefire violations in the reporting period.

Karabakh’s troops took retaliatory measures to continue controlling the situation on the contact line.