On May 18, the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group Ambassadors Igor Popov of Russia, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the United States of America, released a statement, touching upon the fact of firing a missile across the Line of Contact by the Azerbaijani armed forces on 15 May. It was particularly stated: “According to information collected from multiple reliable sources, on 15 May, Azerbaijani armed forces fired a missile across the Line of Contact, striking military equipment.” The Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group condemned these recent ceasefire violations and call upon the sides to take all necessary measures to prevent any further escalation in the conflict zone.
The RA NA President Ara Babloyan responded to the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group.
“Touching upon the statement of the OSCE Minsk Group I should note that it is for the first time, when the OSCE Minsk Group voices direct targeted criticism against Azerbaijan.
It is evidenced by the fact that the Republic of Armenia moves through the path of democracy. The statement of the OSCE Minsk Group confirms the reality that the Republic of Armenia directs all its efforts to reach the solution of the problem exclusively through peaceful means, unlike the Azerbaijani authorities that see the military aggression.
The statement of the OSCE Minsk Group also testifies to the fact that our diplomatic activity is successful. We shall continue to strengthen the parliamentary diplomacy.”
