Defense Minister briefs OSCE envoy on situation in Karabakh conflict zoneDecember 9, 2015 - 16:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan had a phone call Wednesday, December 9, with Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. During the conversation, the parties discussed the current situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and the contact line between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan. The Minister briefed the ambassador on Azerbaijan's provocations during the constitutional referendum in Armenia and the following days, as well as Armenia's retaliation. In this context, Ohanyan expressed concern over the rival's continuous destabilization of situation, stressing that Azerbaijan used 125-mm tank cannons, which may lead to further escalation. In view of keeping Azerbaijan within the logic of negotiation process, the minister also stressed the need for the OSCE Minsk Group’s targeted reaction. Ambassador Kasprzyk, in turn, expressed concern over the situation and pledged to take corresponding measures. Azerbaijan used a tank for the first time to shell Karabakh positions amid ongoing border tensions. According to the Karabakh Defense Ministry, 180 ceasefire violations by Azerbaijani armed forces were registered on December 8-9, with over 1500 shots fired from various caliber artillery weapons, 60-, 82-, 120-mm mortars, RPG-7 and AGS-17 grenade launchers, as well as TR-107 rocket launchers. On December 8, at around 9:10 pm, Karabakh soldier Gagik Avanesyan (aged 24) was lethally wounded in the rival's sniper attack. In investigation into the details of the incident is underway. Karabakh Defense Ministry vowed retaliation, pledging severe and irreversible consequences. Top stories The Cabinet of Ministers decided on Thursday, November 9 to allocated AMD 120 million to arrange the gathering. Michael Roth believes sanctions must be put on the table after Baku‘s ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Yerevan City Council has elected Tigran Avniyan from the ruling Civil Contract as the mayor of the Armenian capital. The Armenian Parliament on Tuesday, October 3 voted to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |