PM on Karabakh Conflict: Georgia Ready to Facilitate Establishing Peace in Region

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the escalation of the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

In a special statement released today, the head of the government pointed out that the military confrontation between Azerbaijan and Armenia has created a "grave situation,"

and that further escalation of the situation will "have an extremely negative impact on the security of the entire region."

On behalf of the Georgian authorities, the PM once again called on the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and international actors to make the most of the available opportunities to end the escalation and resume dialogue.

PM Gakharia reaffirmed Georgia's readiness to facilitate the process of establishing peace in the region in any way, including by hosting a meeting of representatives of the sides of the conflict in Tbilisi for the purpose of holding a dialogue.

"This military confrontation between Azerbaijan and Armenia has created a grave situation. There are heavy casualties and, unfortunately, the cessation of hostilities and the resumption of dialogue has not been possible thus far. We all understand that further escalation of the situation will have an extremely negative impact on the security of the entire region. We once again call on the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and international actors to make the most of the available opportunities to end the escalation and resume dialogue. As you know, our country has good neighborly relations with both countries, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Historically, our Azerbaijani and Armenian citizens living in Georgia have always played a great role in the development and strengthening of our country, as well as the entire region. At the same time, their peaceful coexistence is a good example demonstrating that Georgians, Armenians, and Azerbaijanis have the potential to turn the entire South Caucasus into an area of peace and development. It is our common interest for peace to be established in the region as quickly as possible. Georgia is ready to facilitate this process in any way, including by hosting a meeting of representatives of the sides of the conflict in Tbilisi for the purpose of holding a dialogue," reads the statement. 

Hundreds of people, including civilians, have died as the battles rage on between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The mountainous enclave is officially part of Azerbaijan, but has been run by ethnic Armenians since 1994.

By Ana Dumbadze