Strongly condemn Azerbaijan's violation of the ceasefire regime towards Tavush: Artsakh MFA

We strongly condemn the gross violation of the ceasefire regime by Azerbaijan on July 12, directed towards the Tavush region of the Republic of Armenia along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which is aimed at further escalating tensions. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh.

The attack by the Azerbaijani military using heavy artillery against Armenian positions and the shelling of border villages in Armenia pose direct threats to regional security and stability. We reiterate that the distorted perceptions of Azerbaijan's political elite regarding the primacy of military force over international law are a source of constant threats in the South Caucasus and a serious factor of destabilization in the region.

We decisively reject any attempt to encourage Baku's contemptuous attitude towards its international obligations. In this regard, we consider the statement by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in support of Azerbaijan's provocations and violations of the ceasefire regime unacceptable. We once again emphasize that such a position from Turkey undermines its membership in the OSCE Minsk Group.

We call on the international community and the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to appropriately assess both Azerbaijan's actions aimed at destabilizing the situation along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and Ankara's encouragement of these actions.