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Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian has commented on the statement released by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Mink Group in response to the question addressed by ARMENPRESS news agency.

Question: Mr. Nalbandian, how would you comment on the statement released by the OSCE Mink Group Co-Chairs over the Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border?

Answer: The Co-Chairs have turned to the matter which has been consistently voiced by us. We agree with them that the ceasefire violations are unacceptable. We agree that the agreements reached during summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg must be strictly observed and the OSCE investigative mechanism must be introduced as mentioned by the Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairing countries have regularly stated which side opposes the introduction of the mechanism, therefore that side bears the full responsibility of the incident and the ceasefire violations. Such a mechanism will allow to get rid of mutual accusations as it is claimed by the Co-Chairs. However when an Azerbaijani saboteur is eliminated in the Armenian posts it is clear for everyone who is the attacker without any mechanism.

We are hopeful that the Co-Chairs will be consistent in immediately and strictly responding to any manifestation of use of force or the threads of use of force in the conflict zone especially when the ceasefire violations result in casualties. The delayed response cannot be allowed to be perceived as a sign that the actions of the violator can be tolerated. As the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs have stated for many times it is mandatory to remain adhere to the 1994-1995 trilateral ceasefire agreements and the incidents registered as a result of violations of those agreements are unacceptable and strictly harm the peace talks.

In conditions when Azerbaijan is preventing the introduction of the investigative mechanism and the expansion of the capacities of the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the co-chair format remains the only one which can and must continue its preventive activities pursuant to its mandate.