Pan Armenian News
MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS CALLED ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO REFRAIN FROM ANY
PUBLIC STATEMENTS THAT COULD LEAD TO COMPLICATION OF CONFLICT
15.04.2005 06:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today in London OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Yuri
Merzlyakov, Steven Mann and Bernard Fassier adopted a statement. The full
text of statement was gently provided to PanARMENIAN.Net by the French
Embassy in Armenia. The statement says: The Minsk Group Co-Chairs, concerned
by the growing tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan as result of the
significant increase, during the recent weeks, of cease-fire violations,
resulting in higher numbers of causalities, as well as by public statements
about the possibility of war, deem it appropriate to recall that -these
violations are causing needless loss of life and jeopardizing the
cease-fire; -references to war are complicating current efforts to elaborate
a peaceful settlement of the conflict, re fueling feelings of hate in the
populations of both countries, and are not preparing the people to live as
neighbors rather than enemies. As this sensitive juncture, where a first
step towards an agreement mediated by the Co-Chairs could be at hand in the
framework of the discussion between the parties, the Co-Chairs strongly urge
them: -according to the obligations undertaken by the sides in February
1995, to reinforce the cease-fire on the contact line and refrain from any
public statements that could lead to the complication of the conflict; -to
recognize that a renewal of hostilities cannot provide a lasting solution to
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict but would be disastrous for the population of
both countries, resulting in loss of life, more destruction, additional
refugees and displaced persons, and enormous financial costs that would
undermine the economic development of both countries; -to prepare their
populations for a balanced negotiated agreement that will require compromise
on both sides. The Co-Chairs encourage the sides to focus their efforts on
the ongoing discussions of the Foreign Ministers with the Co-Chairs during
today’s meetings in London and forthcoming meeting in Frankfurt at the end
of April, in preparation for the next meeting between the two Presidents
envisaged in mid-May.