Nagorno-Karabakh and OSCE

• India has said that it believes that any lasting resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can only be achieved peacefully through diplomatic negotiations.
• India thus supports Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group’s continued efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

ABOUT OSCE MINSK GROUP

• The Minsk Group, the activities of which have become known as the Minsk Process, spearheads the OSCE’s efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
• It is co-chaired by France, the Russian Federation, and the United States.
• The Group’s permanent members are Belarus, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and Turkey, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan.
• On a rotating basis, also the OSCE Troika is a permanent member.

ABOUT ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE

• The OSCE’s origins date back to the early 1970s, to the Helsinki Final Act (1975) and the creation of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE)
• In 1994, the CSCE was renamed the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to reflect more accurately changes witnessed.
• The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects.
• It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.
• With 57 participating Statesin North America, Europe and Asia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – is the world’s largest regional security organization.
  • India is not a member.
• All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

ABOUT NAGORNO-KARABAKH

• Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous region officially recognised as part of Azerbaijan.
• But its 2 lakh population is predominantly ethnic Armenian, having close cultural, social, and historical ties with Armenia.
• Basically, Nagorno-Karabakh is an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan.
• The Armenians are Christians, while Azeris are Muslims.
• The conclave is connected to Armenia through the 5-km Lachin Corridor.