Intensive efforts behind the scenes are currently ongoing in an effort to diffuse tensions in the Karaakh conflict zone. January saw continuous violations of the cease fire arrangement on the line of contact separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. Several persons were killed or injured as a result of the violence.
The three co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Process, diplomats from Russia, France and the US, accompanied by the representative of the Swiss Chairmanship of the OSCE, have arrived in the region where they are expected to meet the two presidents in their respective capitals. During the weekend the focus was on Munich where meetings took place on the side of the Munich Security Conference, including between the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, and the Secretary General of the OSCE Lammberto Zannier. Both the United States and the European Union have also over the last days renewed their committment to work for the peaceful resolution of the process, although no details were given.
source: commonspace.eu
Photo: The Secretary General of the OSCE, Lamberto Rannier with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov discussed the situation on the line of contact on the side of the Munich Security Conference on 1 February 2014. (Picture courtesy of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry).