At Vilnius-hosted OSCE Ministerial Council sitting, Armenian Foreign Minister expressed regret over current violations of arms control agreements in the region.

In this context, Edward Nalbandian called attention to Baku’s destabilizing increase of military budget which suggests violating international obligations and security principles, parallel to continuing military rhetoric, xenophobia and anti-Armenian propaganda.

Further, Nalbandian gave high assessment to OSCE chair Lithuania’s efforts as well as those of OSCE Minsk Group in Karabakh settlement.

However, the Minister said, unfortunately, the summit between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in Kazan on June 24 completed without an agreement on basic principles of conflict settlement with Azerbaijan unready to accept the documents. “Neither was it ready to accept them in Sochi in March 2011, in Astrakhan in October 2010 or St. Petersburg in June 2010,” Nalbandian said.

Azerbaijan continues to hamper implementation of the agreement on development of mechanisms to investigate incidents at contact line, thus bearing the responsibility for lives lost over violation of ceasefire, the Minister said.

“Baku has repeatedly ignored the urges of UN Secretary General, OSCE chairperson-in-office, and OSCE MG co-chairs to withdraw snipers from contact line and refrain from ceasefire violation.

Armenia, however, adheres to the principles of peaceful settlement conflict and will continue its efforts towards its achievement despite Baku’s destructive position,” Nalbandian concluded.