The escalation of tension in the conflict zone due to Azerbaijani provocations ahead of each highlevel meeting has become regularity. By such actions, Baku attempts to divert the negotiation process from the objective of establishing peace and settlement of the issue.
Republic of Armenia Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said the aforementioned when responding to the question by Radio Liberty: “How would you comment on the issue connected with gross violations of the ceasefire by Azerbaijan ahead of the meeting of the presidents?” “We strictly condemn the unprecedented escalation of the situation by Baku resulting in a number of human losses in the line of contact with Artsakh ahead of the meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijani presidents initiated by the OSCE Minsk Group to be held on December 19. We extend our deepest condolences to the relatives of the deceased soldiers of the Artsakh Defense Army. The escalation of tension in the conflict zone due to Azerbaijani provocations ahead of each highlevel meeting has become regularity. Baku has the illusion that it can negotiate by use of weapons. Despite the numerous appeals made by the countries of the CoChairs on excluding use of force, Azerbaijan engages in new adventurism. By such actions, Baku attempts to divert the negotiation process from the objective of establishing peace and settlement of the issue.
In current situation specific steps aimed at the reduction of the tension have become an imperative: creation of investigation mechanisms of incidents, strengthening the observation mission of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson in Office, increasing the number of his field assistants at the suggestion of the CoChairs. We expect that the countries of the CoChairs will take practical steps in that direction
