YEREVAN, JANUARY 10, ARMENPRESS. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs are not, in fact, dealing with the Karabakh issue. The structure’s actions are directed towards alleviating the tension in the border, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan told a press conference in “Armenpress”, commenting on the latest statement of the Minsk Group.

“It is already several years the Co-Chairs, in reality, are not dealing with the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. It is obvious that at the moment, at this situation the settlement of the Karabakh conflict is impossible. The stances, approaches of the sides over the conflict settlement are so far from each other that combining them is quite difficult. Even sometimes dialogue is difficult between the sides. And it is already quite a long time the international community tries to reduce the risk factor in the border in order the violence to remain within some frames”, he said.

The political scientist stated that it will not be serious to say that at the moment the conflict is possible to settle. Currently the Co-Chairs are working on the path in order the April events not to be repeated and the violence to be maintained at some level. He said it is obvious that Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic do not need war.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group released a statement regarding the December 29 Azerbaijani infiltration attempt on the Armenian border.

The full statement reads:

“Baku and Yerevan continue to accuse each other of a December 29, 2016 attempted incursion on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border resulting in casualties. Armenian Armed Forces are still holding the body of an Azerbaijan serviceman killed in the fighting.

Violations of the ceasefire are unacceptable and are contrary to the acknowledged commitments of the Parties, who bear full responsibility, not to use force. The Co-Chairs urge the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to strictly observe the agreements reached during summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg in 2016, including obligations to finalize in the shortest possible time an OSCE investigative mechanism. The Co-Chairs also urge the return, without delay, of human remains, in accord with the agreements of the Astrakhan Summit of 2010, bearing in mind the exclusively humanitarian nature of this issue. We call upon the Parties to cease mutual accusations and undertake all necessary measures to stabilize the situation on the ground.

The Co-Chairs extend their condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and to all Armenians and Azerbaijanis for whom hopes for the New Year have been darkened with the grief of senseless loss.”