Chronology

Soviet's Fall and Armenia's and Azerbaijan's Independence, 1991-1994

1991
January 14 Azerbaijani SSR's Supreme Soviet adopts a resolution to unite the Armenian-populated region Shahumian with the Azerbaijani region Kasum-Islamov, whereby the region of Geranboy is created.
April 30 to May 15 Azerbaijan, with support from the Soviet Union's interior forces, perform deportations of the population of 24 Armenian villages in the Shahumian district north of Nagorno-Karabakh. These deportations come to be called as "Operation Ring".
August 30 Azerbaijani parliament adopted a declaration on the restoration of Azerbaijan's national independence from 1918-1920, and appoints itself as the heir of the old republic (Article 2 of the Declaration of Independence).
2 september During a session with participants from the Nagorno-Karabakh district, Shahumian region's deputies and representatives of other Soviets, a declaration on the proclamation of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (NKR) is passed.
21 September Armenia declares its independence through a referendum.
September 22 The Russian and Kazakh presidents, Boris Yeltsin and Nursultan Nazarbayev, visit Stepanakert with a peacekeeping mission.
September 23 Under the leadership of the Russian and Kazakh presidents, a meeting is held between the leaders of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia.
September 25 Stepanakert is for the first time shelled with artillery fire from nearby Azerbaijani territories. Similar attacks gradually became more common and is now regarded as Azerbaijan's war declaration.
November 26 Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet adopts a resolution to abolish the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.
December 10 A referendum on independence is held in Nagorno-Karabakh. 99.98% of the participants vote for the independence of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh (NKR).
December 25 The Soviet Union ceased to exist.
December 28 Elections to the first parliament, NKR's Supreme Council, is held. The new parliament is composed of 75 members.
December 30 The leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) issued an appeal to Azerbaijan and Armenia over the resumption of negotiations on the Karabakh conflict.

1992
January 6 NKR's Supreme Council adopts a resolution on the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh's national independence.
January 26 Azeri army suffers its first serious defeat. The loss of the village Karintak (Azeri Dashalti) near the fortified city of Sushi marks the turning point in the conflict when the Azerbaijani side began to lose its grip on Karabakh.
January 30 to 31 The European Security Conference (ESC) is held in Prague where, after Armenia's and Azerbaijan's election to the organization, it is decided that ESC representatives should be sent to the region.
February 19 NKR's Supreme Council issues a statement to the UN Secretary-General and the permanent members of UN Security Council, condemning Azerbaijan's military aggression against NKR and the use of "BM-21/Grad" missile artillery against Stepanakert and other parts of the NKR.
February 25 to 27 NKR's forces begin an offensive to take Khojaly and neutralize the bombardment of Stepanakert. During the clash hundreds of fleeing civilians are killed, whose bodies are found on the Azeri controlled area. Shortly afterwards Azerbaijani President Ayaz Mutalibov is forced to resign. While Baku blames the Armenians for the massacre, Mutalibov claims the massacre to have been staged by the opposition party Azerbaijani Popular Front to force him from power.
February 28 The CSCE's seventh meeting is organized, during which they appeal to Azerbaijan to lift the blockade against Nagorno-Karabakh and ask Russia and Kazakhstan to continue their efforts to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and negotiations.
March 20 CIS meeting held in Kiev. It is agreed on the creation of monitoring and peacekeeping forces in the CIS. The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is discussed.
March 24 A CSCE resolution requires a special conference on Nagorno-Karabakh, which "elected and other representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh" are expected to attend.
10 april The massacre in the Armenian village of Maragha takes place. 40 Armenians are found murdered and many bodies are mutilated.
April 14 Russian Foreign Minister sends a letter to UN Secretary-General on possible scenarios for resolving the Karabakh conflict.
May 1 A CSCE resolution on principles for a monitoring mission of a cease-fire is adopted in Minsk.
May 5 Russia declares the creation of a mediation mission for the solution of the Karabakh conflict.
May 9 NKR's forces capture the strategic town of Shushi.
May 14 Azerbaijan's Supreme Council reinstates the deposed Mutalibov as the country's president. However, the next day (15 May), Mutalibov is forced to flee Baku when armed forces under control of Azerbaijani Popular Front storm the Parliament.
May 18 With the capture of the important city of Latchin, NKR's forces establish a vital land corridor to Armenia and break the long-time Azeri blockade of NKR.
June 1 to 6 A preparatory meeting of the CSCE Minsk Conference on Nagorno-Karabakh is held in Rome. After the meating the participating states establish the CSCE Minsk Group.
June 12 Azerbaijani forces begin a massive assault that results in the capture of Shahumian region, north of the Martakert region and eastern part of the Askeran region.
June 14 Abulfaz Elchibey, leader of the Azerbaijani Popular Front, is elected new president of Azerbaijan.
July 31 An official delegation from NKR visits for the first time the CSCE Minsk Group's meeting.
August 11 U.S. Congress adopts a resolution condemning Azerbaijani aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh and prohibits U.S. administration from giving state aid to Azerbaijan until the blockade against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh is lifted.
September 15 Secret meetings between official representatives of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh are held in Moscow.
September 19 The Sochi agreement is signed by defense spokespersons from Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. The document calls for cessation of all military activities for two months.
December 11 to 12 The CSCE Minsk Group's member states meet in Stockholm. A document for the cessation of military operations is submitted to the warring parties for deliberation. Azerbaijan, supported by the Minsk Group member Turkey rejects the proposal.

1993
January 5 to 8 A meeting between representatives of the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, USA and Turkey and the chairman of the CSCE Minsk Group, the so-called "5+1" format is held. Participants agree on a "settlement calendar." NKR's leadership rejects Turkey's mediation when the country openly, gives military and economic assistance to Azerbaijan.
January 26 NKR's Supreme Council adopts a resolution on the adoption of the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1977 additional protocols.
January 27 The European Parliament adopts a resolution condemning the Azerbaijani blockade of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and calls it a brutal violation of human rights.
March 17 to April 6 A meeting of the "5+1" format is be held in Geneva. Azerbaijan refuses to unilaterally take part in the negotiations in this format.
April 8 President of Russia introduces a new initiative for resolving the Karabakh conflict.
April 9 to 16 Secret meetings between representatives of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia is held in Moscow.
April 30 UN Security Council Resolution 822 is adopted, calling for an immediate cessation of all military and hostile activities, permission of international organizations access to the region, the resumption of negotiations and the location of the CSCE peace-keeping forces in the conflict zone.
June 9 Azerbaijani President Abulfaz Elchibey flees the capital Baku due to the threat of military coup.
June 17 A mutual agreement between NKR and Azerbaijan over the shelling of Aghdam and Stepanakert is mediated by the Russian Federation.
June 27 An agreement on a week's suspension of military offensives as well as missile and artillery shelling in the regions of Martakert and Aghdam is concluded between NKR and Azerbaijan, again with Russian mediation.
June 28 to July 4 The Russian Mediation Mission visits Baku, Yerevan and Stepanakert with the proposal to extend the agreement from June 27 to also include military operations in other conflict zones.
July 23 NKR's Foreign Ministry is established.
July 24 An agreement on a three-day ceasefire starting on July 25 is signed.
July 29 UN Security Council adopts resolution 853 on Nagorno-Karabakh.
August 25 NKR's representatives to France, the EU and the European Council are appointed.
August 31 A new 10-day ceasefire is mediated by the Russian Federation.
September 9 President of Russia sends messages to the leaders of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia and is proposing an agreement on comprehensive cessation of military activities.
September 9 to 11 CSCE Minsk Group meeting is held in Moscow, where the group recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent party to the conflict.
September 12 to 13 Negotiations in Moscow results in an agreement extending the ceasefire to 5 October.
September 22 to 23 Negotiations between Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, under the leadership of the Minsk Group, is held in Paris. UN Security Council Resolutions 822 and 853 are discussed.
October 9 After Azerbaijan's newly elected president, Abulfaz Elchibey fled the capital Baku, Heydar Aliyev is elected as Azerbaijan's president.
October 14 UN Security Council adopts Resolution 874, stressing the application of the previous demand for the cessation of military actions and the resumption of negotiations and finally recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as a conflicting party.
November 11 UN Security Council adopts its fourth resolution, 884, Nagorno-Karabakh.
December 1 The Azeri delegation rejects the final version of the cease-fire agreement that has been approved by the CSCE Minsk Group and leaves the room in protest.
December 16 Azerbaijan violates the ceasefire agreement and starts a large-scale offensive against the NKR along the entire front line.
December 21 to 22 A seminar, attended by delegations from Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, is held in Åland, Finland.

1994
January 27 Russia proposes a three-week ceasefire, starting on February 1, 1994.
February 4 The newly appointed chairman of the CSCE Minsk Group, the Swede Jan Eliasson, participates in the Minsk Group's first meeting.
April 14 to 15 Negotiations under the auspices of the Minsk Group begins in Prague.
May 4 to 5 A meeting of the heads of parliaments of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia takes place in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh sign the "Bishkek Protocol". Azerbaijan signs protocol on May 8, 1994. The protocol is the basis for the current ceasefire regime.
May 9 to 11 A more detailed ceasefire agreement is presented by Russia. Defence Representatives from Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia sign the agreement. The Agreement shall enter into force on 12 May 1994.
May 19 CSCE Permanent Council issues a communiqué in support of the terms of the ceasefire.
June 14 to 18 CSCE Minsk Conference President Jan Eliasson visits the region, including Nagorno-Karabakh.
June 28 to July 5 Nagorno-Karabakh parliamentary delegation visits Strasbourg at the invitation by the Secretary of European Council for a meeting on the relations with non-member states.
July 7 NKR delegation participates in the CSCE Minsk Group meeting in Vienna and rejects the proposed deployment of Turkish troops as part of the international peacekeeping forces in the conflict zone.
August 11 Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia hold negotiations in Moscow, where it is agreed to release women and children who have been captured by the warring parties.
September 8 to 9 Bilateral and multilateral meetings between the top leaders from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and Russian Foreign Minister takes place in Moscow. Key items for a political solution are discussed.
October 17 An agreement for the mutual surrender of prisoners of war is mediated by the Minsk Group.
December 5 to 6 CSCE is succeeded by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Minsk Group's presidency is created. Russia and Sweden are appointed as co-chairs. The meeting makes clear its readiness to send peacekeeping troops to the area after a decision on the cessation of the armed conflict is reached.
December 22 NKR has appointed a new presidency post in the republic and selects Robert Kocharian as its first president.