Unilateral removal of snipers impossible for Karabakh with Azerbaijan violating all agreements

PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE CiO’s suggestion on unilateral removal of snipers from contact line of Karabakh conflict cannot be accepted, with Azerbaijan refusing to practice constructive approach, constantly violating agreements reached, NKR President stated, summarizing the results of the meeting with the OSCE CiO Audronius Azubalis.

Bako Sahakyan drew the OSCE CiO’s attention to recent incident on the line of contact resulting in a death of Armenian soldier in an Azeri attack, when Mr. Azubalis suggested unilateral withdrawal of snipers from Armenia’s side.

“Yesterday’s incident proves that OSCE CiO’s suggestion will not find support, the recent incident being one among many cases proving Azerbaijan resorts to subversions before and after presidential meetings, as well as with OSCE MG mediators present in the region. The OSCE CiO agreed that under conditions, when agreements reached are violated, the fulfillment of specific steps is impossible,” the Artsakh President stressed.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis said that unilateral withdrawal of snipers from the frontline by the Armenian side would be a good example and demonstration of goodwill on Armenia’s part. “We offered the Armenian side to withdraw snipers but it was rather an emotional and impromptu proposal,” Azubalis told reporters in Yerevan on March 18. He also welcomed yesterday’s swap of captives between the NKR and Azerbaijan.

An Armenian serviceman was killed in the fire commenced by the Azerbaijani side on March 17. According to the press office of the Artsakh defense army, Aharon Hayrapetyan, 19, died in the hospital from a fatal wound.

“Azerbaijan’s firing upon Armenian positions after the March 5 Sochi presidential statement and several hours after the exchange of POWs proves that Azerbaijan not only violates the ceasefire but also ignores peace efforts to resolve the conflict. This fact should receive a proper assessment by the international organizations engaged in resolution of the conflict,” the defense army said.

The joint statement adopted by the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents in Sochi reads that the Presidents “considered matters of practical implementation of the trilateral statement adopted during the October 27, 2010, meeting in Astrakhan.” Specifically, the Presidents agreed to finalize the swap of POWs as soon as possible. The document stresses the parties’ willingness “to solve all disputable matters peacefully and conduct investigation of possible incidents along the ceasefire line under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group through the assistance of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.”