Georgia concerned by Nagorno-Karabakh fighting, ready to help peaceful solution

Georgia will do its best to deescalate conflict between its neighbouring countries Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory.

These words were spoken by Georgia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze.

"What’s happening in our neighbourhood is very hard and very bad,” Kaladze said.

"I think us and the international community should do our best to deescalate the situation there.”

"As for Georgia, as a neighbour of both of these countries, we should use all of our abilities to ease the situation.”

Nagorno-Karabakh is  a dipsuted territory between Azerbaijen and Armenia.

Heavy fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh began on Friday night and continued through to Sunday evening, killing at least 30 soldiers, reported the BBC.

Had mtng concerning situation in #NagornoKarabakh. We support int. community’s efforts to de-escalate situation https://t.co/3rVwd0QG5N

— Giorgi Kvirikashvili (@KvirikashviliGi) April 4, 2016

Last night Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili held a meeting with Georgia’s foreign and law enforcement ministers as well as the heads of several agencies and parliamentary committees to discuss the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Kvirtikashvili reviewed the information submitted by representatives of all law enforcement agencies about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and expressed his deep concern regarding the escalation of violence and the resumption of hostilities that resulted in civilian and soldier deaths.

The Georgian Prime Minister hoped the international community's efforts to de-escalate the situation would bring tangible results to preserve regional peace and stability.

Meanwhile this morning Chief of General Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Major General Vakhtang Kapanadze said Georgia could play the role of moderator between Armenia and Azerbaijan if the sides wanted so.

He added Georgia "is one of the countries having good relations with participants on both sides of the conflict”.

"It’s very sad that this problem could not be solved in a peaceful manner. This is a painful process for the whole region,” Kapanadze said.

"So we are following the development of the situation very carefully. We’re having very close communication with our colleagues in Azerbaijan and Armenia and are being updated regularly.”

Kapanadze noted neither side had asked for any help from Tbilisi but both sides were trying to keep Georgia as aware of the situation as possible.