ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN COMMENTS ON OSCE MINKS GROUP STATEMENT
Armenpress
YEREVAN, APRIL 18, ARMENPRESS: Asked by Armenpress news agency whether
an OSCE Minsk group cochairmen’s statement, issued prior to their
London meeting with Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers would
aid in bringing an end to the violations of the ceasefire, Hamlet
Gasparian, a spokesman for Armenian foreign ministry, said:
“Since it is only the Azerbaijanis who make militaristic statements and
warmongering calls, it is obvious that the statement applies to them.
However, if the intended purpose of this statement is to try to put
an end to the ceasefire violations, we do not believe that will happen
unless the violators are not being held accountable.
Armenia, in its letter to the co-chair countries foreign ministers,
and to the OSCE CiO, explained that the fundamental reason for
the recurrence of these abuses is that Azerbaijan is assured of
impunity. They know that even when such encroachments are obvious
and visible, as they are now, and Azerbaijan has clearly violated the
ceasefire and advanced, no one criticizes or condemns their actions
by name. As a result, they can breach the ceasefire again and again.
That is what has happened here. If in the past, shots were heard and it
was not always evident who fired first, today, it is obvious that the
Azerbaijanis have advanced their positions, and have clearly, visibly
altered the status quo. That is why we are convinced that such a
universal call for abiding by the terms of the ceasefire will not help.
Instead, we would expect that the co-chairs and others interested in
ensuring stability in this region, take a tougher stance.”