War in Karabakh: 18th anniversary of ceasefire agreement (video) May 12, 2012 - 14:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - May 12 marks the 18th anniversary of the ceasefire agreement between Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and Azerbaijan. On May 5, 1994, the CIS Inter-parliamentary Assembly, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, Russian Federal Assembly and Foreign Ministry initiated a meeting which resulted in signing of Bishkek protocol by representatives of the Supreme Council of Armenia and Karabakh and Azerbaijan’s Milli Mejlis. The protocol called for ceasefire on May 8 night, 1994. On May 9, plenipotentiary representative of Russian president in Nagorno Karabakh Vladimir Kazimirov prepared the Agreement on Ceasefire. Azerbaijani defense minister Mamedrafi Mammadov signed it the same day in Baku. On May 10, Armenia’s then defense minister Serzh Sargsyan signed the document in Yerevan, and commander of NKR Defense Army Samvel Babayan signed the paper on May 11. The agreement took effect on May 12 midnight, 1994. The document signed by Ministers of Defense of Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as by the Commander of the NKR Defense Army says that the parties “express determination to assist in all possible ways to the cessation of armed conflict in and around Nagorno Karabakh, which does not only cause irretrievable losses to Armenian and Azerbaijani people, but also significantly affects the interests of other countries in the region and seriously complicates the international situation.” It calls on the conflicting sides “to come to common senses and work intensively to confirm this as soon as possible by signing a reliable, legally binding agreement” and “to continue meetings for peaceful resolution of the armed conflict.” 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. 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. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Russia confirms start of withdrawal of peacekeepers from Karabakh The Kremlin has confirmed reports about the start of the withdrawal of Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh. France recalls its ambassador to Azerbaijan France on April 16 said it had recalled for consultations the French ambassador to Azerbaijan. Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent. |