UNSC open briefing on the Armenia-Azerbaijan situation
(15 September; 10:00 hrs)
 
Statement by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj
Permanent Representative of India to the UN

-----
 

Mr. President,
 
Let me join others in thanking ASG Miroslav Jenca for updating us on latest developments related to the situation at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
 
2.​I thank the Presidency for scheduling the discussion today as an open briefing. Yesterday, Council’s informal deliberations were a timely beginning for us to seriously consider why the situation in the Caucasus, in particular at the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, continues to be tense. The violent hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2020 are still fresh in our minds.
 
3.​The recent reports of attacks along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, including targeting of civilian settlements and infrastructure, are a matter of deep concern. We call upon the aggressor side to immediately cease hostilities and exercise restraint. These actions pose a serious threat to the peace and stability in the region. This Council thus simply cannot afford to stand by silently and let the situation deteriorate any further.
 
4.​The 9th November 2020 ceasefire brokered by Russia, as well as the peace processes being mediated by the OSCE, the Minsk Group and the EU provide useful mechanisms to resolve all outstanding issues.
 
5.​It has been our consistent submission that such disputes should be settled through diplomacy and dialogue. There can be no military or violent solution to any conflict. We encourage both sides to pursue diplomatic pathways to arrive at a lasting and peaceful solution.
 
6. ​We continue to reiterate that the global order be anchored in international law, the UN charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.
 
I thank you Mr. President.
 
------