The Federal Government welcomes the agreement reached in Moscow on a humanitarian ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan and calls upon both sides to respect the ceasefire and ensure further casualties are absolutely avoided. We welcome the declared will of the two countries to begin substantive negotiations mediated by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and based on the fundamental principles of conflict resolution. We call upon Armenia and Azerbaijan to work intensively now on a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.

The Federal Government extends its thanks to the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group for their work to bring an end to the fighting and launch substantive talks. As a member of the OSCE Minsk Group, we reaffirm our support of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group as they continue their endeavours to find a negotiated solution.