Return to the peace process: Statement by the Belgian French-speaking friendship circle with Artsakh
We are deeply concerned by the escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, following the Azerbaijani military provocation in the region of Tavush, in the north-east of Armenia since July 12, 2020. It has already resulted in tragic casualties on both sides.
The mass protests in Baku, calling for a war against Armenia are extremely worrying. It is crucial to return to the negotiating table, to engage in an honest dialogue and to put an end to the war rhetoric and hate speech, that has been particularly strong in Azerbaijan.
We hereby emphasize the need to implement genuine confidence-building measures, in particular those suggested by the OSCE Minsk group, namely removing snipers from the line of contact, installing a mechanism to investigate cease-fire violations and strengthen the role of the OSCE observers. Azerbaijan must follow the example of Armenia which has already accepted these measures and must implement them as well. There can be no alternative to the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Read also
André du Bus, Coordinator of the Friendship Circle
Marie Lecocq, Brussels MP
Prof. Bernard Coulie, Former rector of UCL
Georges Dallemagne, Federal Deputy
Zoé Genot, Brussels Member
Serge de Patoul, Honorary Member of Parliament
Emmanuel De Bock, Brussels MP
Pierre Kompany, Brussels MP, Mayor
Julie de Groote, Honorary Member of Parliament
Josy Dubié, Honorary Member of Parliament
Hervé Doyen, Bourgmestre – Honorary Member of Parliament
Fatoumata Sidibé, Honorary Member of Parliament
Simone Susskind, Honorary Member of Parliament
Jean-Claude Defossé, Honorary Member of Parliament
EAFJD
20 July, 2020