OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs may visit Armenia-Azerbaijan border "soon"

PanARMENIAN.Net - OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Igor Popov (Russia), Stephane Visconti (France), and Andrew Schofer (U.S.) could soon visit the border of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Alexander Lukashevich, Permanent Representative of Russia to the OSCE, told an online press conference on Tuesday, June 1.

On the morning of May 12, the armed forces of Azerbaijan violated the border of Armenia in the southern province of Syunik, advancing 3.5 kilometers and surrounding Sev Lake, which is situated on the border between the two countries but is predominantly a part of Armenia. On May 13, the Azerbaijani military committed more border violations against Armenia, advancing near Vardenis (Gegharkunik province) and Sisian (Syunik province). One Armenian serviceman was killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting on May 25, while six others were captured on May 27.

“It is very important that the [OSCE Minsk Group] co-chairs manage to get to the region in the near future and assess the situation, talk to the parties on the spot,” he said, according to TASS. “This is very important. I think such opportunities could open up in the very near future."

"Plus, of course, the acute issue of providing access to international humanitarian organizations to help the population. There are also a lot of organizational details, which are interpreted differently by the parties," Lukashevich added.

Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, said in mid-May that Azerbaijan is hindering the organization's humanitarian mission to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).