Statement In Reply to Azerbaijan delivered by Ambassador Arman Kirakossian at the 1128th Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council

19 January, 2017

Mr. Chairman,

In regard to the statement of the distinguished Ambassador of Azerbaijan I have already referred to the armed provocation by the Azerbaijani subversive group, which led to death of three Armenian servicemen and to the ongoing investigation in the frames of the opened criminal case.

We would like to underline also that the Armenian side is fully committed to its obligations under Geneva Conventions and is continuing close cooperation with the International Committee of Red Cross.

We note that Azerbaijani Delegation all of a sudden recalled the existence of International Humanitarian Law. In this regard we would like to refresh the short memory of the Azerbaijani Delegation. On November 20, 2014 the Delegation of Armenia raised in this hall the issue of compliance of Azerbaijan to International Humanitarian Law in the context of evacuation of the remains of the crew of the downed helicopter. We would like also to recall that there was a statement from OSCE MG Co-Chairs calling Azerbaijani side to permit recovery of bodies. The Azerbaijani Delegation’s did not address that statement and furthermore to very explicit question whether Azerbaijan recognizes its obligations within Geneva Conventions versus the other parties to the NK conflict, the response was negative. Last year in this hall the Armenian side raised the issue of return of the remains of NK civilians and military servicemen killed and beheaded in the course of large-scale military offensive of Azerbaijan in April. We are still waiting for the return of those remains.

Now we would like again to ask Azerbaijani delegation the same question that we raised in November 20, 2014, does Azerbaijan recognize its obligations within Geneva Conventions versus other parties to the NK conflict?

Mr. Chairperson,

I would like once again to remind the Ambassador of Azerbaijan that people in our region need peace. But to achieve sustainable peace we need to fully abide by the principle of non-use of force or threat of force. Peaceful environment is vital for advancement of negotiations. This Organization provides all necessary tools for establishment of such environment, such as monitoring by the PRCiO of the ceasefire regime along the Line of Contact and creation of an investigative mechanism.

Regrettably relevant agreements, reached last year in Vienna and Saint Petersburg still remain on paper. Azerbaijan refuses to implement these important CSBMs and continues to violate the 1994 ceasefire agreement.

Thank you.

MFA RA
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