NATO commented on the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh

The NATO leadership is concerned about reports of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh and calls on the parties to reconcile. This is with reference to the statement of the Alliance, RIA Novosti reports.

Representatives of the bloc of countries commented on the events with deep concern, calling on both sides to stop any military actions and return to negotiations.

“There can be no military solution to the conflict in Nagorno — Karabakh,” the Agency quoted NATO as saying. Earlier on September 27, EU representative Josep Borrel spoke in the same vein about the clashes at the border.

• 

Earlier it was reported that Turkish foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the situation with Russian foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Lavrov expressed concern and called on the sides to cease fire.

The new escalation of the conflict became known earlier on September 27. Azerbaijan announced the shelling by Armenian troops, which resulted in civilian casualties, and launched a military operation on the border. Full mobilization has been declared in Armenia, and the authorities of the disputed region report the deaths of Armenian soldiers and civilians.

In 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh, populated mainly by Armenians, declared independence from Azerbaijan. Baku tried to return the region by force, and war broke out. In 1994, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic signed a Protocol of truce with the mediation of Russia. Periodically, military operations resume. In July of this year, there were clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, about 300 kilometers from Karabakh. The death toll on both sides was 18.