UN Secretary-General Calls on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Parties to Stop Fighting

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has responded to the escalation of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

The official statement released by the UN reads that the Secretary-General is extremely concerned over the fresh resumption of hostilities along the line of contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone. He condemns the use of force and regrets the loss of life and the toll on the civilian population.

Guterres strongly calls on the sides to immediately stop fighting, de-escalate tensions and return to meaningful negotiations without delay. He will be speaking to both the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia.

The Secretary-General reiterates his full support for the important role of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and urges the sides to work closely with them for an urgent resumption of dialogue without preconditions.

A territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan re-erupted with the heaviest clashes in years yesterday.

"At least 23 people were reported to have been killed on Sunday as the two ex-Soviet republics battled over the Nagorno-Karabakh region," the BBC reports. 

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: Clashes Continue on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Border