The Ministry of Defense of Russia accused this Saturday Azerbaijani army to take a halt in the territory of Nagorno Karabaghin violation of the agreements that put an end to the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan for control of the territory inhabited by Armenians.
Azerbaijani units crossed the separation of forces zone in the area of Shushi and they took control of a position at more than two thousand meters of altitude, according to the Russian military statement.
In addition, the Azerbaijani military began carrying out engineering work to reinforce its positions at the site, the Russian Defense Ministry added.
“The command of the Russian peacekeeping forces take measures to prevent an escalation of the situation and prevent mutual provocations by both sides in the conflict,” he said.
The Russian Defense Ministry conveyed to the Azerbaijani side the demand for respect the tripartite agreement signed in November 2020 by the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian leaders, and withdraw their units from newly conquered territory.
Last January the European Union decided to deploy a new civilian mission in Armenia for the next two years to monitor and try to stabilize the situation on the border with Azerbaijan.
The decision was taken by the EU foreign ministers during a meeting in Brussels, thereby accepting the request that their Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, made to the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrellwhen the mandate of the civilian mission deployed until then ended on December 19.
In recent weeks the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyanwho also spoke today with Michel, warned that there is a high risk of escalation of the situation both in Upper Karabakh, where the Russian peace contingent is deployed, and on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Baku, which has been blocking the corridor of Lachin– the only route between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh – denounces almost daily truce violations in the region by Armenian and Karabakh forces.
Charles Michel moved Aliyev and Pashinián this Saturday, the “willingness” of the European Union to help advance the standardization process between the two countries.
That is the message that the Belgian politician conveyed to the two leaders during telephone conversations with each of them.
“We discussed the latest developments on the ground. I underlined the willingness of the EU to help advance the normalization process of their countries, and peace and stability in the region,” Michel wrote on his profile on the social network Twitter.
The President of the European Council also expressed his “concerns about the continuing crisis around the Lachin corridor, the recent casualties and the sharp increase in tensions on the ground, as well as the accompanying negative rhetoric,” according to a statement.
Michel urged the two leaders to seek trade-offs and to refrain “from any action that may lead to risks of escalation.”
“In both calls, the leaders agreed to remain in close contact,” the note detailed.
The authorities of Nagorno Karabagh assured on Thursday that they will continue the fight for the recognition of their independence despite the obstacles that Baku places on them, including the blockade that they have suffered for more than three months.
“Artsakh (Armenian name for Nagorno Karabagh) will continue its struggle. Despite the difficulties caused by the blockade, the people remain faithful to the path (of self-determination),” said the head of Karabakh diplomacy, Sergei Ghazaryanin a press conference by videoconference.
This Thursday Pashinián also denounced that during more than 100 days of the blockade of Nagorno Karabakh, Baku has cut off the gas supply to the enclave on a total of 13 occasions.
(With information from EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com