The High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini spoke this morning with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov, and with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian concerning the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The HR/VP urged the immediate de-escalation of violence, an end to the targeting of civilians and strict observance of the ceasefire by all parties. The High Representative reiterated that a large-scale conflict is in the interest of no-one. The conflict requires a comprehensive and peaceful solution, not a military one.

The HR/VP once again reiterated, as she did during her recent visits to Baku and Yerevan, the European Union’s full support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the three Co-Chairs, urging both sides to resume the negotiations on a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. In this context, the High Representative stressed that all parties must take the necessary steps to create an environment conducive to successful negotiations, including avoiding actions and statements which could further complicate the already complex environment.

The High Representative will personally remain in close contact with her Azerbaijani and Armenian counterparts, as well as through EU Special Representative Herbert Salber.