NATO, CSTO comment on downing of Artsakh helicopter

PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, voiced concern about downing of the Artsakh helicopter, which was operating a training flight, by the Azerbaijani armed forces.

“Concerned by reports about an Armenian helicopter being shot down by Azerbaijani forces. Whatever the circumstances of the incident, both sides should remain calm and pursue a diplomatic resolution,” Appathurai said in a Facebook post.

Mi-24 helicopter of the Nagorno Karabakh army was shot during a training flight as result of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani armed forces on Thursday, Nov 12, at about 1pm local time. According to the NKR Defense Ministry, the attack took place not far from the line of contact. Three people on board were killed.

Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay Bordyuzha described the downing of the helicopter as a dangerous manifestation of violence. “This incident escalations tensions in the region and arouses our deepest concerns,” he said.

Washington has also expressed concern about the downing of the helicopter.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki says the incident is "yet another reminder" of the need to reduce tensions and respect a ceasefire in the region. Psaki told reporters that there could be "no military solution to the conflict."

In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said "it is essential that all sides show restraint and avoid any actions or statements which could escalate the situation." Mogherini also called for an inquiry into the incident.