OSCE presents Baku and Yerevan with mechanism to investigate incidents along the front line

During the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group to Baku, Yerevan and surroundings from April 11-14, the OSCE MG co-chairs discussed the next steps for reaching agreements on basic principles, the statement of the co-chairs Igor Popov (Russia), Bernard Fassier (France) and Robert Bradtke (US) reads, which was published on the website of the organization.

Based on a joint statement from March 5, issued in Sochi by the presidents of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, the co-chairs provided the parties with a draft framework for the investigation of incidents along the front lines with the participation of all the parties. The co-chairs will continue to work with the parties in order to create a transparent and objective process of investigation, in order to build confidence, reduce the risk of errors and save human lives.

The co-chairs expressed their concern that the planned opening of the airport in Nagorno-Karabakh could lead to further tension. They warned that flights arriving and departing from the airport cannot be used to support any requirements for changing the current status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of international law. The co-chairs encouraged the parties to reach an understanding in accordance with international conventions and agreements, as well as current Armenian and Azerbaijani flight practice. The co-chairs welcomed the assurances of the parties that they will desist from any threats or attacks on civilian aircraft, to investigate these issues diplomatically and to refrain from politicizing the issue.