EU NEIGHBOURS . On 1 and 2 October, the European Council held a special meeting where it discussed, among other issues, the situations in Belarus and Nagorno–Karabakh.
The Council stated that it “condemns the unacceptable violence by Belarusian authorities against peaceful protesters, as well as intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detentions following the presidential elections, the results of which it does not recognise”.
The European Council added that it fully supports the democratic right of the Belarusian people to elect their president through new free and fair elections, without external interference.
The European Council also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Nagorno–Karabakh, urging the both parties of the conflict “to recommit to a lasting ceasefire and the peaceful settlement of the conflict”.
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“The loss of life and the toll on the civilian population are unacceptable. There can be no military solution to the conflict, nor any external interference. Azerbaijan and Armenia should engage in substantive negotiations without preconditions,” said the European Council.
The European Council reiterated its support for the Minsk Group Co-Chairs of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and asked the High Representative to look into further EU support for the settlement process.
Photo: European Union
