20 April 1993

Doc. 6815

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

Declaration on the escalation

of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

(adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 15 April 1993

at the 492nd meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

      The Committee of Ministers is seriously concerned about the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and especially the extension of the combat zone to the Kelbadjar district of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Committee of Ministers endorses the demand by the President of the UN Security Council for the immediate cessation of all hostilities and calls for the withdrawal of all forces which endanger the peace and security of the region.

      Convinced that a lasting solution to the conflict can be found only through respect for international law and the principles and commitments of the Council of Europe and of the CSCE, in particular the inviolability of frontiers, territorial integrity, the protection of minorities and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Committee of Ministers:

-       expresses its grave concern over the growing danger that the extension of the combat zone to the Kelbadjar district of Azerbaijan threatens the democratic future and the stability of the whole region;

-       deplores the fact that this situation is a threat to the process of political negotiation within the CSCE framework;

-       declares that no solution imposed by force can be accepted by the international community;

-       calls also for unimpeded access to international humanitarian relief efforts in the region and in particular in all areas affected by the conflict in order to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population;

-       urges the parties to the conflict to refrain from taking any action that will further endanger a peaceful solution;

-       stresses that the only way to end the hostilities is, whilst renouncing recourse to force, to pursue negotiations in good faith within the framework of the Minsk Group of the CSCE.