Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they will make to the government of Azerbaijan about the alleged bombardment of civilian targets in Nagorno-Karabakh; what discussions they have had with the OSCE Minsk Group about its work to prevent further violence in the area; and what steps they plan to take to help the governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia to secure a ceasefire and encourage a full peace process.

The Government is deeply concerned by the recent military escalation along the Line of Contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and reported shelling into civilian areas. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and Americas raised UK concerns over civilian casualties and fatalities with both the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers on 28 September. On 29 September the UK alongside other OSCE Permanent Council members delivered strong statements urging de-escalation and a resumption of dialogue to reach a peaceful settlement. We will continue to engage with key partners on this issue and continue to support the OSCE Minsk Group in their aims of securing a peaceful settlement to the conflict.