Minsk Group co-chairs voice "serious concern" about Karabakh escalation

The co-chairs said in a statement following the meeting:

"We expressed to the minister our serious concern about reported incursions across the Line of Contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, resulting in casualties.  The rise in violence that began last year must stop for confidence to be restored and progress to be made in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.  We called on Azerbaijan to observe its commitments to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.  We also call on Armenia to take all measures to reduce tensions.  All sides must abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement.  Violence undermines efforts to bring about peace.

"We discussed with the minister possible next steps in the peace process, including comprehensive negotiations that can lead to a lasting settlement which would benefit all the people of the region.  We reminded the minister of our mandates and expressed concern about voices critical of the ongoing negotiation process, the role of the Minsk Group co-chairs, and the duties of OSCE monitors.

"We emphasized the importance of measures aimed at avoiding unintended incidents along the Line of Contact and Armenia-Azerbaijan border.  We also discussed the implementation at the earliest opportunity of the presidents' agreement to exchange data on missing persons under the aegis of the ICRC."