ArmInfo. The Office of the EU Special Representative (EUSR) for South Caucasus, Ambassador Herbert Salber, is aware of the deadly clashes that occurred on the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan on December 29, the EUSR press service told APA on Thursday. "These are worrying developments and, in this regard, we would like to reiterate our call on the sides to show restraint and respect the ceasefire," the press service said.
"We fully back the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and support their statement issued on January 9, where they, inter alia, "urge the return, without delay, of human remains, in accord with the agreements of the Astrakhan Summit of 2010, bearing in mind the exclusively humanitarian nature of this issue", the EUSR press service said, noting that respect for international humanitarian law is a must. The press service informed that Ambassador Herbert Salber intends to continue his regular visits and consultations at the highest level in Armenia and Azerbaijan this year. "These consultations are very useful for the EU and its member states, in particular to get direct information from the top leadership in Armenia and Azerbaijan," the press service added. "We really hope that this year will see meaningful moves forward in the peaceful settlement of the conflict and we stand ready to contribute to such efforts."
To recall, on December 29 morning, the Azeri armed forces attempted a sabotage attack on the southeastern section of the Azeri-Armenian border near Chinari village of Tavush province of Armenia. The adversary used sniper rifles and grenade launchers. The Armenian troops got to grips with the adversary. Armenian Defense Ministry Spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said that three Armenian servicemen were killed - Senior Lieutenant Shavarsh Melikyan and privates Edgar Narayan and Erik Abovyan. The adversary suffered 7 human losses, including one victim left on the Armenian side when retreating. Five more Azeri servicemen were killed in the course of the punitive measures taken by the Armenian armed forces on December 30.