EU High Representative Josep Borrell on Monday (13 July) spoke to the foreign ministers of the two countries underlying the need to defuse tension and to cease fire
The European Union has expressed concerns following incidents on the international border between Armenia and Azerbaijan involving the use of heavy weapons which sadly led to the loss of lives.
In a statement the EU urged both sides to stop the armed confrontation, refrain from action and rhetoric that provoke tension, and undertake immediate measures to prevent further escalation. It added that in this context, both sides should make use of their mechanism for direct communication, the established format led by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, as well as the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. This serious ceasefire violation highlights the urgency of resuming the OSCE monitoring on the ground, as soon as conditions allow, the statement added.
The EU called on the sides to strictly respect the ceasefire, devote energy and resources to fighting the coronavirus pandemic, meaningfully re-engage in substantive negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and prepare their populations for peace.
In the meantime on Monday, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell spoke with the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan underlying the need to defuse tension and to cease fire. He later tweeted:
Spoke this pm to @ZMnatsakanyan @MFAofArmenia & Elmar Mammadyarov @AzerbaijanMFA. Underlined need to defuse tensions & to cease fire.
Direct communication between the two sides is essential & re-engagement in substantive negotiations under @OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs https://t.co/eVVPzeRE7S
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) July 13, 2020
source: commonspace eu with the press service of the European External Action Service
Photo: Josep Borrell (archive picture)
