Russian, Armenian PMs discuss violence in Nagorno-Karabakh over phone

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Armenian counterpart Hovik Abrahamyan on Tuesday expressed their serious concern over the outbreak of hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to the Russian government website Wednesday.

The two prime ministers discussed the situation in the disputed region in a phone call, with Medvedev stressing the need to ensure a strict implementation of the ceasefire and the resumption of efforts to seek a political settlement.

The pair also discussed Medvedev's upcoming visit to Armenia on April 7-8, during which he will attend a meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of the Eurasian Economic Union.

The violence in Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway region of Azerbaijan with a predominantly Armenian population, erupted on Friday night. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Tuesday that Azerbaijani forces killed 70 Armenian soldiers and destroyed 20 armored vehicles on Monday and Tuesday, while at least 16 Azerbaijani troops were killed.

Baku and Yerevan have accused each other of provoking hostilities and conflicts.

Following the three days of fighting, the conflicting sides agreed on a ceasefire that came into force at noon on Tuesday. Endi