Politologist: Co-Chairs proved that Azerbaijan does not create conditions for achieving peace

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. In the latest period the tense situation in Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone made ESCO Minsk group Co-Chairs show the international community that Azerbaijan is the side that does not create any conditions for peaceful settlement, reducing tension and for creating an atmosphere of mutual trust at all. Political scientist Alexander Margarov said about this in the interview with “Armenpress”, referring to the ESCO Minsk group latest announcement, that Armenia agreed with the suggestion to submit a mechanism of investigating ceasefire regime violations in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, and Azerbaijan has not made an agreement over that issue yet.

“This shows that the side, which is the main initiator of the tension on the borders, is not naturally interested in submitting the investigating mechanism and is not going to participate in the processes which can lead the issue to the peaceful resolution”, said Margarov.

According to Margarov’s speech the rise of the tension in the conflict zone, Azerbaijan aggressive behavior made ESCO Minsk group Co-Chairs to show the side, which obstacles the peaceful settlement process of the conflict.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France), together with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, held a meeting on 24 September with the Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian, and a separate meeting on 25 September with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov. They also met jointly with the two Foreign Ministers to discuss the immediate need to reduce tensions along the Line of Contact and international border, to advance negotiations on a lasting settlement, and to implement confidence-building measures. The Ministers agreed to continue preparations with the Co-Chairs on the next presidential summit, which is expected to be held before the end of this year.

The Co-Chairs called for the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to accept an OSCE mechanism to investigate ceasefire violations. Without such a mechanism, the sides will continue to blame each other for initiating deadly attacks on the Line of Contact and Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Armenia has agreed to discuss the details of the mechanism, and we urged Azerbaijan to do the same.

The Co-Chairs condemned in strong terms the use of artillery that caused additional casualties in the last twenty-four hours. They extended their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. An escalation of violence is not in the interest of Azerbaijanis or Armenians, or a negotiated settlement.

The Co-Chairs encouraged the sides to implement people-to-people programs to build trust between societies affected by the conflict.