MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS CALLED ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO REFRAIN FROM ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT COULD LEAD TO COMPLICATION OF CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Today in London OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Yuri Merzlyakov, Steven Mann and Bernard Fassier adopted a statement. The full text of statement was gently provided to PanARMENIAN.Net by the French Embassy in Armenia. The statement says:

The Minsk Group Co-Chairs, concerned by the growing tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan as result of the significant increase, during the recent weeks, of cease-fire violations, resulting in higher numbers of causalities, as well as by public statements about the possibility of war, deem it appropriate to recall that

-these violations are causing needless loss of life and jeopardizing the cease-fire;

-references to war are complicating current efforts to elaborate a peaceful settlement of the conflict, re fueling feelings of hate in the populations of both countries, and are not preparing the people to live as neighbors rather than enemies.

As this sensitive juncture, where a first step towards an agreement mediated by the Co-Chairs could be at hand in the framework of the discussion between the parties, the Co-Chairs strongly urge them:

-according to the obligations undertaken by the sides in February 1995, to reinforce the cease-fire on the contact line and refrain from any public statements that could lead to the complication of the conflict;

-to recognize that a renewal of hostilities cannot provide a lasting solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict but would be disastrous for the population of both countries, resulting in loss of life, more destruction, additional refugees and displaced persons, and enormous financial costs that would undermine the economic development of both countries;

-to prepare their populations for a balanced negotiated agreement that will require compromise on both sides.

The Co-Chairs encourage the sides to focus their efforts on the ongoing discussions of the Foreign Ministers with the Co-Chairs during today's meetings in London and forthcoming meeting in Frankfurt at the end of April, in preparation for the next meeting between the two Presidents envisaged in mid-May.