Artsakh's Foreign Ministry Considers the Implementation of International Mechanisms to Control Ceasefire Regime Urgent

The attempt by the Azerbaijani side to escalate tensions once again confirms that the introduction of international mechanisms to monitor the ceasefire regime in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone is urgent. This is stated in a commentary by the Information and Public Relations Department of the Artsakh Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement is presented below:

“On June 1, Azerbaijan grossly violated the ceasefire regime, resulting in the death of a serviceman of the Artsakh Defense Army. This premeditated murder was preceded by a disinformation campaign against the Artsakh side, alleging that an Azerbaijani serviceman was killed due to shelling from the Artsakh side.

In this regard, it is necessary to note that the press service of the Artsakh Ministry of Defense promptly responded to the misinformation, affirming that the Artsakh side unconditionally adheres to the ceasefire regime.

It is evident that Azerbaijan’s disinformation campaign aimed to create the necessary informational background for further violations of the ceasefire regime. Both episodes are links in the same chain and can testify to Azerbaijan's unwillingness to adhere to its obligations aimed at strengthening the ceasefire regime.

The Azerbaijani side's attempt to escalate tensions once again confirms that the implementation of international mechanisms to control the ceasefire regime in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone is urgent. Within the framework of these efforts, it is necessary to finally fulfill the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg in 2016, which specifically relate to the investigation of possible violations of the ceasefire regime, as well as the expansion of the office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to enhance its monitoring capabilities.

Such a mechanism would allow not only to respond promptly to possible incidents but also to avoid mutual accusations of violating the ceasefire regime and the escalation of tensions on fictitious grounds.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Artsakh Republic expresses its condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the deceased serviceman of the Artsakh Defense Army, Sipan Melkonyan,” the commentary says.