In an unusual move, the Ministry of foreign Affairs and the Ministry of defence of Azerbaijan have issued a joint statement on the situation on the line of contact in the Karabakh conflict zone.
In their statement the two Ministries say "the intensive violation of the ceasefire regime by Armenian armed forces with heavy weapons and armed provocations along the contact line of troops and the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border are continuing". "Armenian armed forces are deliberately and systematically targeting Azerbaijani army positions, as well as civilians and civil facilities in residential areas", the statement adds.
After referring to the incident in Akhanli village on 4 July, the statement adds that "on July 25, Armenia's armed forces used a combat UAV and dropped shells filled with explosives and metal fragments on a position of our armed forces. Such provocations of Armenia, which intensified in June and July, are being carried systematically and intentionally on the background of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs' visit to the region, meetings on the resolution of the conflict, strict calls on negotiations from the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs and the international community. Such malicious acts Armenia resorts to are accompanied by politically instigative steps. This is proven by the "presidential" election-which was rejected by the international community-in the illegitimate "parliament" of the so-called regime created by Armenia in occupied territories of Azerbaijan", the statement says.
The rest of the statement of the Azerbaijani Foreign and Defence Ministries reads:
Thus, the chronicle of events proves that while Azerbaijan is stepping up its efforts to achieve a negotiated resolution of the conflict with the support of the international community, Armenia is busy carrying out provocations to hamper these negotiations, keep the status quo and escalate the situation on purpose. These acts of Armenia must be condemned by the international community. Otherwise, Armenia will undertake a new military adventure.
Armenia's violation of the norms and principles of international law, as well as its war against Azerbaijan and the ongoing occupation of Azerbaijani territories violates the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, posing a serious threat to peace in the region.
To put an end to the conflict, to restore peace and tranquility, the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan is an absolute necessity.
Despite the efforts of the Armenian propaganda machine, irrefutable facts show that Armenia and its armed forces have committed aggression against Azerbaijan, occupying its territory and carrying out ethnic cleansing against its population.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan are taking and will continue taking all necessary measures in order to prevent Armenian provocations and ensure security of Azerbaijan's civilian population along the line of contact.
We reiterate that Armenia bears full responsibility for the provocations committed and the consequences of the continuing occupation of Azerbaijani territories,"
You can read the reaction of the Armenian side to the statement here
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
