Statement in response to Address by the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group, Address by the Personal Representative of the CiO on the Conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference and the Report by the Head of the High-Level Planning Group.

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Mr. Chair,

I join others in thanking the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group, the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office on the Conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference and the Head of the High-Level Planning group for this update on the situation with regards to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Norway welcomes the Russian brokered cessation of hostilities. The fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh this autumn led to widespread destruction and suffering. We hope the cessation of hostilities will be respected by the parties of the conflict and that further loss of life be avoided. It is imperative to ensure that international humanitarian law is fully respected and implemented by all. We expect the parties to ensure that humanitarian actors have safe and unimpeded access to the affected areas. Necessary protection and assistance should be provided in adherence to the humanitarian principles.

Norway encourages the parties to initiate a constructive dialogue in order to reach a stable and lasting solution. We believe the international community, including the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson in Office for the conflict dealt with by the Minsk Group, should play an important supporting role. Norway would welcome more clarity from the parties on how this best could be achieved.

Thank you