Yerevan and Baku continue negotiations on downed helicopter crew
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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS: With the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Yerevan and Baku hold negotiations to clarify the fate of the crew of the downed helicopter Mi-24 in the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The Head of the Communication Programs of the International Committee of the Red Cross Armenian Office Zara Amatuni told Armenpress that at this moment negotiations are held between the sides, though yet no concrete information can be provided on the stages and results of the negotiations.
“Since November 13 the sides have been holding a dialogue, which aims at bringing the sides to the place of the incident as soon as possible to clarify the fate of the crew of the downed helicopter. At this moment we can only state that we hold negotiations with all the interested parties. Via its delegations working in the conflict zone, our organization does its best so that the parties come to an agreement. They are in constant contact with Yerevan and hold negotiations with Baku as well. Corresponding works are being carried out to reach a result”, - said Zara Amatuni.
Previously it was reported that in the airspace of the eastern sector of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani border, in the result of the violation of the ceasefire regime, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces shot a helicopter Mi-24 of the Air Forces of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic during a training flight on November 12 at 13:45. The place of the shot is very close to the line of contact. The press service of the Defense Army of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic informed Armenpress that the rival continues firing in the direction of the incident. The details of the incident are being investigated. Later it was announced from Stepanakert that by preliminary data there are three victims. The Commander of the staff was the Major Sergey Sahakyan. Another two servicemen were Lieutenant Azat Sahakyan and Senior Lieutenant Sargis Nazaryan.
On November 12 the OSCE Minsk Group spread a statement, condemning the incident. On November 13 the European Union issued a statement on the incident, condemning the downing of the Artsakh helicopter. The US Department of State and ministries of foreign affairs of different countries as well made statements.