Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and European Union diplomacy head Josep Borrel during a telephone conversation on Wednesday stressed the need for an immediate and complete ceasefire and maximum restraint by the parties to the conflict and other countries.
"The officials discussed the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. They emphasized the need for an immediate and complete ceasefire, and maximum restraint by the parties to the conflict and other countries," the message reads.
As it was pointed out, the sides expressed support for the September 27 special statement by the co-chairs of the Minsk Group with an appeal to the conflicting sides to stop further escalation. "They emphasized the central role of the co-chairs in the talks on a settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh in the context of discussions at special sessions of the UN Security Council and the OSCE Permanent Council on September 29," diplomatic mission concluded.
The conversation was initiated by the EU side.
The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated on September 27, with active fighting taking place in the disputed territory. Martial law has been introduced in Azerbaijan and Armenia and mobilization has been announced. Both sides report deaths and injuries, including among civilians. Baku has announced that it has taken control of several Karabakh villages and strategic heights. Yerevan refutes these data and reports shelling of Armenian territory itself.
Baku and Yerevan have been contesting Nagorno-Karabakh's ownership since February 1988, when the region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijani SSR. During the 1992-1994 armed conflict, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS