Provocative Statements and Inciting Rhetoric Could Disrupt the Peace Process, Says OSCE Minsk Group

The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Igor Popov (Russia), Stéphane Visconti (France), and Andrew Schofer (USA), held separate and joint videoconferences on June 29-30 with the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Elmar Mammadyarov, respectively. They discussed the situation concerning public health in the region, the current dynamics of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the next steps to be taken within the framework of the peace process.

Following the meetings, which were also attended by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office's Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk, the co-chairs issued a statement that is presented below.

“The co-chairs emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting a conducive environment for peace and substantive negotiations. They positively assessed the relative stability and expressed satisfaction that the parties continue to use direct communication channels to avoid escalation. However, recalling their statement from March 9, 2019, the co-chairs expressed concern that recent provocative statements, inciting rhetoric, and possible steps aimed at changing the situation on the ground could disrupt the peace process.

The co-chairs stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict. They called on the parties to take additional steps to reinforce the ceasefire and prepare the population for peace. The co-chairs also highlighted the urgency of resuming monitoring operations under the auspices of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office as soon as conditions allow.

The co-chairs and the foreign ministers agreed to hold another joint videoconference in July.”