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PREZ ON NKR: PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT CHALLENGED BY AZERI AGGRESSION
KARABAKH | 07.04.15 | 14:53
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Armenian officials once again spoke about Baku's deconstructive moves
and their consequences in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, and added
that they share co-chairs opinion - we must prepare the people not
to war, rather to peace.
In a television interview on Monday, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
reiterated his government's position that the only viable solution to
the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan is through negotiations based on
the seven-year old agreements outlined in an OSCE Minsk Group document.
The president told Rosia 24 channel's "Opinion" program that the
Armenian position is routinely challenged by aggression instigated
by Azerbaijan in border fighting that has intensified over the past
several months.
"Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani government does the exact opposite
(than negotiate). We all witnessed the tense situation which started
last summer," the president said underlining that outside monitors
blame Azerbaijan.
At the same time, Sargsyan addressed the probability of restarting
war in Karabakh, saying that he "is personally afraid of war, but
not afraid of fighting".
Sargsyan's position was echoed by his Minister of Foreign Affairs,
as Euard Nalbandyan told "International Relations":
"The co-chairs have always worked on and still continue developing
mechanisms for stabilizing the ceasefire regime, investigating
ceasefire regime violations and occurrences, withdrawing snipers,
with clear suggestions on other means of trust.
However Azerbaijan shows complete ignorance toward those suggestions
and initiatives of mediators with international society mandate."
According to Nalbandyan, Azerbaijan is focused on the capabilities it
possesses for overcoming Armenia through military means. He charges
that Azerbaijan wants to see the Minsk Group solution fail and have
other international bodies negotiate peace.
"All this is covered by active provocation both on the contact line
with Artsakh and Armenia," Nalbandyan said.
Meanwhile, it was learned Tuesday that another Armenian casualty has
occurred. Senior officer Hayk Keshishoghliyan, 42, was shot dead at
an undisclosed post in northeast Karabakh.
James Warlick, the American cochair of the OSCE Minsk Group, meanwhile,
said to Azerbaijan's APA news agency: "We are hopeful that the sides
will respect the ceasefire during upcoming holidays, commemorations,
and international events in the region."
The diplomat said the presidents of both Armenia and Azerbaijan had
assured the mediators that they will not initiate military action
along the Line of Contact or the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
"While we have no means to monitor or verify these commitments, such
stability would create a more positive dynamic for negotiations. We
expect the next meeting of the Presidents to take place later this
year. We are exploring possibilities to meet with both foreign
ministers in order to frame the discussion between the presidents,
as well as dates for our next trip to the region," Warlick noted.
http://armenianow.com/karabakh/62112/karabakh_osce_minsk_group_serzh_sargsyan
KARABAKH | 07.04.15 | 14:53
NAZIK ARMENAKYAN
ArmeniaNow
GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Armenian officials once again spoke about Baku's deconstructive moves
and their consequences in Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, and added
that they share co-chairs opinion - we must prepare the people not
to war, rather to peace.
In a television interview on Monday, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
reiterated his government's position that the only viable solution to
the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan is through negotiations based on
the seven-year old agreements outlined in an OSCE Minsk Group document.
The president told Rosia 24 channel's "Opinion" program that the
Armenian position is routinely challenged by aggression instigated
by Azerbaijan in border fighting that has intensified over the past
several months.
"Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani government does the exact opposite
(than negotiate). We all witnessed the tense situation which started
last summer," the president said underlining that outside monitors
blame Azerbaijan.
At the same time, Sargsyan addressed the probability of restarting
war in Karabakh, saying that he "is personally afraid of war, but
not afraid of fighting".
Sargsyan's position was echoed by his Minister of Foreign Affairs,
as Euard Nalbandyan told "International Relations":
"The co-chairs have always worked on and still continue developing
mechanisms for stabilizing the ceasefire regime, investigating
ceasefire regime violations and occurrences, withdrawing snipers,
with clear suggestions on other means of trust.
However Azerbaijan shows complete ignorance toward those suggestions
and initiatives of mediators with international society mandate."
According to Nalbandyan, Azerbaijan is focused on the capabilities it
possesses for overcoming Armenia through military means. He charges
that Azerbaijan wants to see the Minsk Group solution fail and have
other international bodies negotiate peace.
"All this is covered by active provocation both on the contact line
with Artsakh and Armenia," Nalbandyan said.
Meanwhile, it was learned Tuesday that another Armenian casualty has
occurred. Senior officer Hayk Keshishoghliyan, 42, was shot dead at
an undisclosed post in northeast Karabakh.
James Warlick, the American cochair of the OSCE Minsk Group, meanwhile,
said to Azerbaijan's APA news agency: "We are hopeful that the sides
will respect the ceasefire during upcoming holidays, commemorations,
and international events in the region."
The diplomat said the presidents of both Armenia and Azerbaijan had
assured the mediators that they will not initiate military action
along the Line of Contact or the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.
"While we have no means to monitor or verify these commitments, such
stability would create a more positive dynamic for negotiations. We
expect the next meeting of the Presidents to take place later this
year. We are exploring possibilities to meet with both foreign
ministers in order to frame the discussion between the presidents,
as well as dates for our next trip to the region," Warlick noted.
http://armenianow.com/karabakh/62112/karabakh_osce_minsk_group_serzh_sargsyan