OSCE MG U.S. Co-chair shares ‘good news’ after Yerevan talks

OSCE MG U.S. Co-chair shares ‘good news’ after Yerevan talks

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group posted another message on the progress of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement in his Twitter page.

“Good news. The Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan re-committed to respecting the Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire, especially during Olympics,” James Warlick said in his post.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry urged for ceasefire in all the conflicts across the world for the duration of Winter Olympics in Sochi.

The opening of the Olympic Ceremony will take place on Friday, Feb 7.

Earlier, Warlick expressed satisfaction over the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs’ talks in Yerevan. “No date yet for summit, but Armenian President emphasized continued dialogue towards peace in Nagorno Karabakh. Good talks in Yerevan,” the U.S. Co-chair said in his post.

The OSCE Minsk Group French and U.S. Co-chairs, Jacques Faure and James Warlick travelled to Baku Sunday, Feb 2. Meetings with the Azerbaijani President and Foreign Minister were held planned for Feb 3, with the co-chairs arriving in Yerevan Feb 5.

In Yerevan, the Co-chairs were met with a protest rally staged by the members of ARFD student union, Nikol Abgalyan. As the union chair Gerasim Vardanyan told journalists, while the mission of the Minsk Group is to promote peace, their actions foster renewal of a war. “Refusing to condemn Azeri attacks at the border means to favor and abide with Baku’s anti-Armenian policies,” he stressed.

At the meeting with Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, the Co-chairs shared impressions of the Baku visit, with the Armenian official stressing the necessity of preventing Azeri provocations. As he noted, Yerevan supports the Co-chairs’ stance that escalation of tensions at the line of contact undermines success of the peace talks.

In late January, a Nagorno Karabakh army soldier, Karen Galstyan, aged 20, sustained a deadly injury in a sniper attack at the northern direction of the line of contact with the Azerbaijani armed forces.

Simultaneous attempts of penetration by the Azerbaijani subversive groups were recorded on January 19-20 in the north-eastern (Jraberd) and south-eastern (Korgan) directions of the line of contact. The front units of the armed forces of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic noticed the actions of the Azerbaijani subversive groups and started an organized defense in both directions.

The rival was thrown back suffering palpable human and material losses. Junior Sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan died from the wounds he received during the exchange of fire in the north-eastern direction.

Also, as a result of the continuous firing from the Azerbaijani side, a 16-year-old girl was wounded in her leg on Thursday, Jan 23 night in Aygepar village of Armenia’s Tavush province.

Intensive fire was registered in the direction of Armenian border villages of Nerkin Karmraghbyur, Aygepar, Chinari and Movses, RA Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan told PanARMENIAN.Net

The injured girl underwent a surgery in the hospital of Berd town and later discharged, according to Ankakh.com.

“The Azeris fired upon houses, roofs. Now the firing has stopped,” one of Aygepar residents told Razm.info.

According to Nerkin Karmraghbyur’s page on Facebook, the firing ceased at about 5 am Friday. No one was injured; roofs of some houses were damaged.

Earlier, village administration head Manvel Kamendatyan said that the electricity was turned off to avoid ignition.

Meanwhile, Azeri media outlets spread reports alleging that a woman was wounded by Armenians. However, no official comments followed.

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