Ukraine at OSCE calls for peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

The settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can only take place peacefully on the basis of respect for international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders, according to a Ukrainian diplomat.

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk said this at a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on the escalation of the situation along the contact line in the conflict zone in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Ukraine reiterates its support to a sustainable settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on full respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan within its internationally recognized borders," he said.

Tsymbaliuk noted that Ukraine deeply regrets that the large-scale military actions along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone have already resulted in numerous casualties, including among civilians, on both sides of the conflict. "We send our sincere condolences to the families of those who perished or were wounded in the battle actions," he said.

The diplomat said that Ukraine supports consistent actions by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, aimed at achieving de-escalation of the recent flare-up and stabilization of the situation on the ground. "These are essential preconditions for the continuation of negotiations based on the fundamental principles and norms of the international law thus paving the way to a peaceful resolution of this decades-old conflict," he said.

He also said that the current escalation is "just another proof that both the protracted and hot conflicts remain a major factor of instability threatening security in the OSCE area, which may lead at any moment to the resumption of armed hostilities and heavy human losses."

Early on September 27, Armenia and Azerbaijan resumed hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, blaming each other for shelling border areas and provoking violence. Both countries declared martial law and mobilization.

On September 27, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and called on the parties to make every effort to return to the negotiating table.

The UN Security Council called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to immediately cease hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh and resume talks without preconditions.

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