This is said in a statement the organization has published at its official website in the wake of destruction of an Armenian military helicopter in Nagorny Karabakh, a region of Azerbaijan with the predominantly ethnic Armenian population and staying de facto under Armenia’s control sing the early 1990’s.
“The Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States, and Pierre Andrieu of France) express our very serious concern about the downing of a helicopter near the Line of Contact and the recent violence. We regret the loss of life and express our condolences to the families,” the statement says.
“The Co-Chairs are deeply worried by the events that prompted this drastic incident, the first of its kind since the ceasefire agreement was reached,” the ambassadors say. “We strongly appeal to the sides to avoid steps that would escalate tension along the Line of Contact and Armenia-Azerbaijan border.”
They go on to say that region cannot afford another round of violence like the one that they witnessed this summer.
“Today's events remind us of the volatility of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the urgency to intensify efforts to find a lasting settlement. We remain resolved to assist the sides in any way possible,” the statement says.
“We remind the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan of their responsibilities to respect the ceasefire and honour the commitments they made in Sochi, Newport, and Paris to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the ambassadors indicate. “
“We also encourage them to adopt confidence-building measures now that would increase transparency along the Line of Contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, and reduce the likelihood of events like today's incident,” they say.[en.itar-tass.com]
12/11/14
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An attack helicopter belonging to the armed forces of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) has been shot down by Azerbaijani military in the vicinity of the line of demarcation between the two areas....
ReplyDeleteMOSCOW, November 12 (RIA Novosti) — The press service of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense stated that it was “a Mi-24 helicopter belonging to the Republic of Armenia’s armed forces,” and that it “made an attempt to attack Azerbaijani positions.” According to a statement issued by the ministry, the helicopter was shot down in the vicinity of the village of Chemengly in the Agdam district of Azerbaijan, and crashed in territory controlled by Azerbaijani forces. Azerbaijani forces were deployed to secure the crash site.
Lt. Col. Senor Asratyan, press secretary of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), told RIA Novosti that it was an NKR military helicopter that was conducting a training flight. “At about 13.45 local time Wednesday, in an act that violated a standing ceasefire, a NKR Air Forces Mi-24 that was conducting a training flight was shot down by the Azerbaijani side in the airspace over the eastern direction of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani contact line,” Asratyan said.
According to Asratyan, the crash site is located close to the demarcation line, and Azerbaijani troops are continuing to subject the area to “intensive small arms fire.”...............http://www.sputniknews.com/military/20141112/1014660561.html
12/11/14
Azerbaijan closes airspace above Nagorno-Karabakh after helicopter shooting ...
ReplyDeleteAzerbaijan has banned flights above Nagorno-Karabakh after a military helicopter was shot down in the conflict zone, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
“Azerbaijan announces that the airspace above the occupied territories is closed for flights and in line with the established procedures has informed all the members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) of this,” the statement says............http://en.itar-tass.com/world/759432
13/11/14
Statement by the Spokesperson on a helicopter incident in the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict ...
ReplyDeleteFollowing reports of a cease-fire breach on 12 November 2014 along the Line of Contact, in which a military helicopter is reported to have been shot down, it is essential that all sides show restraint and avoid any actions or statements which could escalate the situation. Furthermore, we call for an investigation into this incident.
The European Union reiterates its full support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and the three Co-Chairs. Both sides have to strictly respect the ceasefire, to refrain from the use of force or any threat thereof, and to resume efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141112_02_en.htm
12/11/14
Armenia vows ‘grave consequences’ as footage of helicopter downing revealed ...
ReplyDeleteArmenia threatened “grave consequences” Nov. 12 after Azerbaijani forces shot down a military helicopter, as seen in recently revealed footage that shows the incident.
Armenian media reported the helicopter’s three crew members were killed.
“A MI-24 combat helicopter attempted to attack positions of the Azerbaijani army near [Karabakh’s] Agdam district,” Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“The helicopter was shot down by the Azerbaijani army,” it said, adding that the wreckage fell on territory held by ethnic Armenians.
Yerevan vowed that Baku would face “grave consequences,” fueling fears that the incident might seriously undermine a shaky peace............http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/video-armenia-vows-grave-consequences-as-footage-of-helicopter-downing-revealed.aspx?pageID=238&nID=74271&NewsCatID=351
13/11/14