ArmInfo. Artsakh's Foreign Ministry issued a statement in connection with the aggravation of the situation on the Karabakh-Azerbaijani contact line of troops, and the death of an Armenian soldier.
The NKR Foreign Ministry reminded that on June 1, the Azerbaijani side grossly violated the cease-fire, as a result of which an Artsakh Defense Army soldier was killed. In addition, according to the department, this deliberate murder was preceded by a campaign of misinformation with false accusations against the Artsakh side of the alleged attack on the positions of the Azerbaijani army, resulting in the death of the Azerbaijani serviceman.
"In this regard, it should be noted that the press service of the Artsakh Ministry of Defense immediately responded to the misinformation and assured the Artsakh side to strictly observe the cease-fire regime. Obviously, the Azerbaijani disinformation campaign aimed to create the necessary information background for the subsequent violation of the cease-fire. Both episodes are links of one chain and may indicate Azerbaijan's unwillingness to comply with its obligations to strengthen the cease-fire regime. The attempt by the Azerbaijani side to initiate an escalation of tension serves as yet another confirmation of the urgency of introducing an international mechanism of control over the observance of the cease-fire regime in the zone of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict. As part of these efforts, it is necessary to finally bring to fruition the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg in 2016 on investigating possible ceasefire violations, as well as expanding the office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman- in-Office in order to increase his monitoring capabilities. " NKR MFA.
Stepanakert is convinced that such a mechanism will not only promptly respond to possible incidents, but also avoid mutual accusations of violating the ceasefire and prevent escalation of tension under false pretenses.
The Artsakh Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased serviceman of Artsakh Defense Army Sipan Melkonyan.