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The dramatic escalation of tensions in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has become the main theme of the international media. The current conflict began in 1988, but its roots go back to the beginning of the last century. Each side accuses the other for non-observance of the truce in the protocol of the ceasefire, signed in May 1994, reads the article on the New Eastern Europe site.

According to the material recently, critical voices have risen regarding the work of the OSCE Minsk Group. The European Union has also been questioned. It is true that a satisfactory solution of the conflict has not been found yet, though the negotiations continue for more than a year. But it is equally true that a new large-scale war has been avoided.

In June 2012, the co-chairs once again proposed two very logical steps in order to avoid the loss of human lives in the only self-regulated ceasefire agreement in the world. The first was to establish an investigation mechanism for ceasefire violations.
The second proposed measure was the withdrawal of all snipers from the line of contact. Both proposals were rejected by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. In its opinion, proposals would only strengthen the status quo. Under these circumstances it is obvious that any mediating effort either by the OSCE Minsk Group or any other organisation becomes extremely challenging and progress is tremendously difficult to achieve.

As the material notes the EU in its turn has launched programmes to reinforce democracy in the South Caucasus – just like in any other neighbouring and Eastern Partnership country. Office of EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy issues makes annual reports on the progress in the partner countries of the European Union in the framework of the ENP.
According to the annual report on democracy, Armenia and Georgia have made progress, and the situation in Azerbaijan has deteriorated.

Serious concern to the EU has caused the organization of the presidential election on October 9, 2013. "The pre-election atmosphere in almost all areas has significantly tightened the political freedom: the deterioration of freedom of speech, pressure on journalists and activists, restrictions on freedom of assembly, the introduction of restrictive regulations in the law on non-governmental organizations."

Wave of repression against civil society has endangered another EU-program "Support for confidence-building measures." Unfortunately, many of the NGOs of Azerbaijan, which have been involved in this program, have been arrested, the material reads.