Riga Calls on Baku, Yerevan to Refrain From Conflict Escalation in Karabakh

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region creates a serious threat to peace and stability in the area, therefore, the sides should prevent further escalation, the Latvian Foreign Ministry said Sunday.

RIGA (Sputnik) – Tensions between neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Armenian-held area flared on Saturday after both nations accused each other of starting the fighting in violation of the 1994 ceasefire.

"The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) calls on both sides to stop the hostilities immediately and resume the ceasefire. Armenia and Azerbaijan must avoid any actions or statements that could result in further escalation of the conflict," the ministry said in a statement.

The Baltic state’s ministry also expressed regret over casualties and deaths, conveying condolences to the wounded and the families of those killed.

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988, when the Armenian-dominated autonomous region sought to secede from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic, before proclaiming independence after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. In September 2015, the conflict escalated, with the sides blaming each other for violating the truce.