UN calls for dialogue over recent Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes

WASHINGTON

The UN is urging dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan after recent clashes on their borders, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Farhan Haq, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at a news conference that the UN is following with concern the reports of the latest violence between the two neighbors.

"At this point, we urge all sides to exercise restraint to act in accordance with the ninth of November and 11th of January trilateral statements and address any related concerns peacefully through dialogue," said Haq, referring to the agreement between the two countries and Russia.

"We want to avoid any return to the sort of escalation we had earlier," he added.

The UN call came after Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani army positions on the border Tuesday, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The ministry said Armenian forces have carried out “large-scale provocations” against the combat posts of the Azerbaijani army in the Kalbajar and Lachin regions of the state border.

Two Azerbaijani soldiers were injured in the attacks.

The Azerbaijani army immediately carried out an emergency operation, the statement said, adding that the movement of the Armenian forces was blocked, while its forces and means were damaged.

*Betul Yuruk in New York contributed to the story