BAKU — In the midst of escalating military tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, reached out to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on September 30, 2020, urging a peaceful resolution to the conflict. This communication came shortly after Azerbaijan launched a counter-offensive operation named “Iron Fist” in response to Armenian provocations along the frontline.

According to Trend News Agency, the 44-day conflict, known as the second Karabakh war, began with Azerbaijan responding to what it described as large-scale provocations by Armenian armed forces on September 27, 2020. The war concluded with Azerbaijan reclaiming territories held under Armenian occupation for nearly 30 years, thereby restoring its territorial integrity.

During the phone call, President Michel expressed his concern about the renewed military activities and emphasized the importance of resolving the conflict through peaceful means. On his part, President Aliyev detailed the events of September 27, noting the loss of Azerbaijani civilian and military lives due to heavy artillery fire from Armenia. He defended Azerbaijan’s military response, stating it was a counteraction to Armenia’s provocations, including controversial statements by the Armenian Prime Minister, which Aliyev argued had undermined the negotiation process.

President Aliyev also accused Armenia of violating international law by illegally settling foreign citizens in the occupied territories, an act he described as a war crime under the Geneva Convention. Furthermore, he mentioned Armenia’s prior mobilization of volunteer military units, interpreting it as a preparation for further aggression.

The conversation highlighted ongoing challenges and the critical need for diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation, underscoring the European Union’s role in facilitating dialogue between the conflicting parties.