China urges dialogue over Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – China on Monday called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to hold political dialogue to resolve their disputes.

Addressing a news conference in Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin said: “China calls for all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint on conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

“Maintaining peace and stability in the region serves interests of all parties, including Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Wang said, according to Chinese daily Global Times.

“We hope relevant countries will take measures to avoid further escalation and resolve disputes and differences through political dialogue,” the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman added.

Relations between the two former Soviet nations have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Upper Karabakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan.

Four UN Security Council and two UN General Assembly resolutions as well as many international organizations demand the withdrawal of the occupying forces.

The OSCE Minsk Group – co-chaired by France, Russia and the US – was formed in 1992 to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, but to no avail. A cease-fire, however, was declared in 1994.

Border clashes broke out early on Sunday when the Armenian forces targeted Azerbaijani civilian settlements and military positions, leading to casualties.

According to Azerbaijan Defense Ministry, its military has liberated a number of villages from Armenian occupation and also cleared several “advantageous high grounds” around the Talysh village of the occupying Armenian forces.