Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Azerbaijan’s military offensive of 19 September in Nagorno-Karabakh; and what representations they have made to that government to encourage it to cease the offensive to allow for a resumption of negotiations with Karabakh Armenians on outstanding issues.

The return of conflict to Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September was devastating for the local population; the subsequent ceasefire announced on 20 September must now be upheld by all parties. The Azerbaijani Government must continue to engage in talks with ethnic Armenian representatives in Nagorno-Karabakh and ensure that it delivers on its humanitarian commitments. I [Lord Ahmad] raised this at the UN Security Council on 21 September and with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on 23 September. Direct dialogue is the only way to secure stability and security for the region.