UN, September 22. /TASS/. The United Arab Emirates appreciates Moscow’s mediatory efforts aimed at de-escalation of the conflict around Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the participation of Russian peacekeepers in protecting civilians, the UAE's Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh said at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Nagorno-Karabakh on Thursday.
"The UAE welcomes ceasefire that was reached in the region yesterday with Russia’s mediation. This confirms that all interested parties decided to follow the de-escalation path," he said. "Despite the ceasefire it would be a deficiency not to stress that all parties should be committed to protection of civilians and take all measures for ensuring their safety amid tensions. We appreciate the role that Russian peacekeepers have played in recent days in the creation of secure conditions for civilians," the Minister of State added.
On September 19, tensions flared up again in Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku announced it was launching what it described as "local anti-terrorist measures" and demanded the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the region. Yerevan, in turn, said there were no Armenian forces in Karabakh, calling what was happening "an act of large-scale aggression."
Russia has called on the parties to end the bloodshed and return to efforts to resolve the issue diplomatically. On September 20, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that an agreement on the suspension of the anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh had been reached through the mediation of Russia’s peacekeeping mission.