Edward Nalbandian: Baku actions deal a serious blow to talks

During the Paris meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian drew the attention of the mediators to the escalation of tension in the border zone.

“Edward Nalbandian drew the attention of the mediators to the gross violations of the ceasefire, the bellicose statements of Azerbaijani leadership, the territorial claims to Armenia – these actions are of a provocative nature and deal a serious blow to the negotiating process,” according to the press service of Armenian Foreign Ministry.

“The Armenian foreign minister said such actions reduce the prospects of settling the conflict and achieving peace and ignore numerous calls by the heads of the Co-chair countries to refrain from statements and actions that could raise tensions in the region and aggravate the situation,” Armenian Foreign Ministry said.

E. Nalbandian stressed the importance of implementing the proposal of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to strengthen the ceasefire regime as a possible mechanism of countering provocations.

The further steps to promote a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict were discussed at the meeting.

An agreement was reached that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs will visit the region in mid February.