Azerbaijan’s position runs counter to OSCE approach: Foreign Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on Tuesday, February 2, voiced concern over Azerbaijan’s policy of aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, condemning the country for ignoring the international mediators’ repeated calls for peace, Tert.am reports.

Addressing an annual news conference, Nalbandian said Armenia will further collaborate with the OSCE Minsk Group in an effort to reach a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

According to the Minister, Azerbaijan’s ceasefire violations have intensified over the recent period, resulting in human losses, including those among civilians.

“In their public statements, the OSCE MG Co-chairs urged Azerbaijan to avoid escalation on the contact line, reaffirm its commitment to the peaceful settlement of the conflict, implement confidence-building measures and accept proposals on investigating border incidents. Also, they called on Baku to refrain from criticizing the Minsk Group, respect their mandate and mission, and put an end to efforts towards moving the process onto other platforms,” the Armenian foreign policy chief said. “Azerbaijan, however, dismissed these calls and chose to instead escalate the situation, hindering the progress in reaching accord over the fundamental principles and implementing the Co-chairs’ proposals.”

Commenting on the recent talks between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev held in Bern, Switzerland, the Minister said the meeting focused on possible measures towards reducing the tension.

“The summit came to prove once more that Azerbaijan’s position runs counter to the Co-chairs’ approach,” Nalbandian added.