British Minister for Europe David Lidington expressed regret over the escalation of violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone.

“I am appalled and highly concerned by the upsurge in fighting in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and by the resulting loss of life,” the British minister said in a statement on April 2.

“It is essential that the sides act urgently to halt the fighting and exercise restraint subsequently. I call upon both Armenia and Azerbaijan to engage constructively and intensively in the search for a negotiated peaceful settlement through the Minsk Group process,” Lidington added.