Appaturay confirms NATO’s support to OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts
18.10.2013,
12:00
Special representative of NATO Secretary General in South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appaturay confirmed NATO is supporting OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts in his meeting with Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan.
YEREVAN, October 18. /ARKA/. Special representative of NATO Secretary General in South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appaturay confirmed NATO is supporting OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts in his meeting with Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandyan.
Nalbandyan briefed Appaturay on the recent developments in Karabakh peace process, the press office of Armenian foreign ministry reported.
Nalbandyan appreciated the outcome of Armenia-NATO cooperation in various fields, according to the report.
The sides discussed a number of issues on cooperation and exchanged views on some regional matters.
Armenia is cooperating with the NATO under an Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) signed in December 2005 and envisaging regular consultations with the NATO on regional security, development of a regional security strategy and military doctrine of Armenia, as well as improving defense and budget planning and other processes.
The Karabakh conflict started in 1988 when prevailingly Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh declared withdrawal fr om Azerbaijan. On December 10, 1991, a referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh wh ere 99.89% voted for independence from Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan responded by large-scale military operations that led to loss of control not only over Nagorno-Karabakh itself, but also over seven adjoining areas. About 25-30 thousands people were killed and about a million had to leave their homes during the military operations.
A trilateral cease-fire agreement was signed on May 12, 2004, and has been followed since then.
The ongoing Karabakh peace process started in 1992 under auspices of OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the USA, Russia and France.–0—
