OSCE Minsk Group cannot determine source of violence in NKR conflict

PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs Igor Popov, James Warlick and Pierre Andrieu as well as the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Andrzej Kasprzyk issued a statement on the escalation at the contact line between the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The mediators, in particular, expressed concern over the usage of mortars and heavy weapons to bombard peaceful areas.

“The use of such weapons suggests an unprecedented escalation in the conflict zone. We express condolences to the families of the victims and recognize there were casualties on both sides. We urge the parties to take effective measures to avoid civilian casualties. Both sides should ensure the safety of the civilian population, remaining committed to their obligations under the Geneva Conventions,” the statement reads.

“We are sorry that these incidents took place on the eve of an arranged meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs in New York. We expect that the ministers will thoroughly discuss the escalation, as well as issues concerning the negotiated settlement of the conflict. While we are unable to determine the source of violence with certainty, as each side blames the other, the parties must work towards the use of an OSCE investigative mechanism,” the statement concludes.