Recent tensions along the line of control in Nagorno-Karabakh are deeply concerning. The death of two Azerbaijani civilians on July 4th is deeply regrettable and I extend my condolences to the friends and family of Zahra Guliyeva and her grandmother, Sahiba. Reports that Azerbaijani military equipment was positioned in civilian areas for the purposes of human shielding are of grave concern and such actions would constitute a contravention of the Geneva Convention. A full investigation into this incident is clearly necessary and a return to the Minsk Process as a means of deescalating the current tension along the line of control is clearly in order. Armenia has agreed to the installation of the OSCE independent investigative mechanism and I call on Azerbaijan to do the same.
Charles Tannock
Member of the European Parliament
Brussels, July 12th, 2017