John Alexander (Bennelong, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On 17 October the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe called for a meeting with the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the de-escalation of tensions on the border of the still unrecognised Armenian-populated Republic of Artsakh, previously known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

Since the ceasefire between the two countries in 1994, the OSCE has been responsible for promoting negotiations, ceasefire monitoring and conflict resolution. Three immediate priorities for the de-escalation of tensions have been proposed. The first is the removal of snipers along the line of contact, the second is the increase in the number of OSCE monitors in the region and the third is the establishing of gunfire locator systems as an investigative measurement to determine which side is responsible for future ceasefire violations. These suggestions apply to both sides of the conflict. Armenia is ready to accept the OSCE recommendations; Azerbaijan is not. OSCE suggested that confidence- and security-building measures are a prerequisite for not only the advancement of negotiations but also the stabilisation of the region through deterring future aggression.

As an OSCE Partner for Co-operation, Australia has a role to play in the sharing of norms, commitments and expertise—and Australia has now joined the global leadership in human rights. (Time expired)

See this speech in context