South Caucasus

3 August: In a statement issued on Sunday the European Union expressed concern at the latest armed incidents on the line of contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan border over the last days. The statement said that the European Union calls on both sides to immediately respect the ceasefire, refrain from the use of force or any threat whereof, and continue efforts towards the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The statement added that the EU recalls that it stands ready to engage in renewed efforts towards a political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and to further contribute to peace-building efforts, in full complementarity with the OSCE Minsk Group.

They strongly condemned the deliberate targeting of civilians and shooting at representatives of international organizations.

Azerbaijan says it lost 12 soldiers killed in the last four days, Armenia says it has only suffered 3 fatalities but both sides say the adversary suffered more serious loses.

2 August: There were more incidents in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone overnight. Azerbaijan says that four of its soldiers have been killed. Armenia says it suffered one fatality. Both sides accuse each other of attempted incursions across the line of contact separating their forces. Azerbaijani media is also reporting that Azerbaijani military aircraft are flying over the front line.

1 August: UPDATED at 1300 GMT - There is still no clear information about the latest incidents on the line of contact separating Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. The Azerbaijani side has confirmed that it has suffered considerable casualties but there is confusion on the number of those involved. Agence France Presse earlier reported that fourteen Azerbaijani soldiers were killed overnight. The usually well informed Azerbaijani News Agency APA put the numbers between 8 and 9. It however later ran a story from the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry saying that there were eight fatalities over three days. Armenian sources insist that the deaths happened when their forces repulsed an Azerbaijani incursion. They had earlier reported two fatalities between Wednesday and Thursday night. US Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Process, Ambassador James Warlick tweeted that he was seriously concerned with the news and insisted that the cease fire needs to be respected. (source: commonspace.eu with agencies)

New EU Special Representative meets Armenian leadership as tension on line of contact increases, with both sides reporting fatalities.

26 July: Both Armenia and Azerbaijan report extensive violations of the cease-fire on the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone last night and early this morning. Azerbaijan says that two civilians were injured after extensive Armenian fire in the village of Alibayli in the Tovuz District. It also says it has repulsed attempts of infiltration by Armenian reconnaissance groups in Aghdam and Goranboy. Armenia says that there was continuous fire from the Azerbaijani side on a number of villages overnight. It says that it has not suffered any casualties

Herbert Salber said that the EU is determined to expand relations with the region and to contribute to a solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

Author and journalist Tom du Waal was recently in the South Caucasus for the launch of the Russian version of his book The Black Garden. Azerbaijani journalist Seymour Kazimov caught up with him in Tbilisi and asked him on his views on the Karabakh conflict and its resolution.