The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has seen a worrying deterioration on the ground, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said during a Security Council open debate on conflicts in Europe

“The hostilities that erupted in April 2016 contributed to the highest number of soldiers and civilians killed and wounded in a single year since the May 1994 ceasefire. The use of heavy weapons and the clear targeting of villages set a disturbing precedent. And the risk of further fighting remains high,” he said.

The Secretary General assured that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs continue to seek a way to retreat from violence and work toward a negotiated settlement.

“So far they have not been able to secure agreement to implement even modest confidence-building measures. Their work keeps open a space for discussions and helps to manage the conflict. But it is for the parties to choose to use that opportunity to take a step forward towards peace,” Zannier emphasized.