NATO urges sides to Karabakh conflict to engage constructively

NATO’s Warsaw Summit concluded on July 9, following two days of decisions to strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and defense, and plans to project stability in the wider neighborhood.

Most definite moment for Baku was the mentioning of the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the joint communiqué of the heads of state and government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Warsaw.

“We continue to support the right of all our partners to make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and security policy, free from external pressure and coercion,” the communiqué reads, further adding that NATO remain committed in its support for the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, a strategic partner of NATO in the South Caucasus, has been suffering from the Armenian aggression for over two decades. Baku has repeatedly stated that the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not only dangerous for the region, but also for Europe and its energy security.

“We continue to support efforts towards a peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the South Caucasus, based upon these principles and the norms of international law, the UN Charter, and the Helsinki Final Act,” the document said. “We urge all parties to engage constructively and with reinforced political will in peaceful conflict resolution, within the established negotiation frameworks.”

Peace process to achieve a decisive solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which erupted following Armenia’s territorial claims back in 1990s, has intensified after the recent scaly battles in April.

Long-simmering tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan flared again on April 2 when the Armenian side began to shell the Azerbaijani positions and settlements along the frontline. To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched counter attacks and repulsed the enemy forces back, liberating the strategic heights.

The two sides agreed on a ceasefire on April 5, and resumed the peace talks thus holding presidential summits in May and June.

Experts say that whilst the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict issue is a matter for the OSCE Minsk Group, NATO should consider progress on settlement more urgent than ever due to the challenges it can face from the new hot point.

Azerbaijan has a significant role to play in maintaining security both for the Caucasus and Europe to prevent trafficking and terrorist activities in the Caucasus region, whilst the conflict obstacles the full use of the country’s powers.