Q: Prior to the London meeting, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs issued a statement. Given the nature of the statement, do you believe that it will aid in bringing an end to the violations of the ceasefire.

A: 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 don?t 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 won?t help.

Instead, we would expect that the co-chairs and others interested in ensuring stability in this region, take a tougher stance.