COPENHAGEN, 5 August 2014 – Joao Soares (MP, Portugal), the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus,
today expressed deep concern over recent deadly violence along the Line
of Contact and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and urged all parties to
the conflict to recommit themselves to finding a peaceful resolution.
“The deteriorating security conditions and the current escalation in
and around Nagorno-Karabakh demonstrate once again that the world cannot
accept a conflict that remains ‘frozen’ for more than 20 years. All
sides must refrain from acts of violence and provocation, especially
against civilians, and urgently recommit themselves to a lasting,
diplomatic resolution. The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan must
begin this week in Sochi,” Soares said.
“The international community, and the OSCE, in particular, must also
take a fresh look at efforts to resolve the conflict and consider new
ideas and mechanisms that can be implemented,” he added.
Special Representative Soares also noted the participation of the
Armenian Delegation in the PA’s recently concluded 2014 Annual Session
in Baku and called on the Armenian and Azerbaijani governments to
support parliamentary and other forms of contact between their
governments and societies.
The OSCE PA’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus is mandated
by the Assembly’s President to follow the overall political situation in
the region and seek to promote dialogue and confidence-building in all
segments of society, in particular at the parliamentary level, in order
to encourage reconciliation in the region.
Richard Solash, Communications Director
