OSCE MG calls to restore confidence in KarabakhMarch 10, 2008 - 13:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The three OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs - Ambassador Yury Merzlyakov of the Russian Federation, Ambassador Bernard Fassier of France and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza of the United States - issued the following statement today:"The OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs deeply regret the tragic loss of life on March 4 along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The Co-chairs call on the parties to restore confidence along the Line of Contact and desist from any further confrontations, escalation of violence or warmongering rhetoric. "U.S. Co-chair Matt Bryza and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, are currently in the region, where they have met on behalf of the three mediators with both sides to defuse the crisis. As of today, the ceasefire has been restored and the situation on the Line of Contact is calm. The Co- chairs call upon both Sides to strictly abide by the provisions of the Arrangement on strengthening the ceasefire in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict of February 4, 1995. "The Co-chairs reiterate that there is no military solution to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The outbreak of hostilities would destabilize the entire region, with calamitous consequences for all involved. The recent casualties and loss of life only underscore the urgent need for both sides to reach to an agreement peacefully through ongoing negotiations under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs. "The Co-chairs call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to redouble their efforts to endorse the Basic Principles for the peaceful resolution of the conflict presented to the sides on the margins of the Madrid OSCE Ministerial in November 2007, and to begin as soon as possible the process of drafting a peace agreement on this basis. The Co-chairs reiterate their support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and that Nagorno-Karabakh's status is the subject of negotiations." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |