Thursday, December 3 2020 21:35

ArmInfo.The Heads of Delegation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries - Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Secretary of  State of the United States Stephen E. Biegun, and Minister for  European and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian - welcome  the cessation of military activities in the area of the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the statement by the  President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of the  Republic of Armenia, and President of the Russian Federation from  November 9, 2020.  

As the official website of the Organization reports, the Co-Chair  countries of the OSCE Minsk Group call upon Armenia and Azerbaijan to  continue implementing fully their obligations under the November 9  statement, in Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts, as well  as their previous ceasefire commitments. The Co-Chair countries  highlight the significance of measures taken by the Russian  Federation, in agreement with Azerbaijan and Armenia, to guarantee  the non-renewal of hostilities.  

They also call for the full and prompt departure from the region of  all foreign mercenaries, and call upon all parties to facilitate this  departure.  The Co-Chair countries remind Armenia and Azerbaijan of  their obligation to comply with the requirements of international  humanitarian law, in particular with regard to the exchange of  prisoners of war and the repatriation of remains.  

They underline the importance of guaranteeing conditions for the  voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of people  displaced by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including during the  recent hostilities.  They underscore the importance of protecting  historical and religious heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. 

The Co-Chair countries call on Azerbaijan and Armenia to cooperate  fully with the relevant international organizations to implement  their obligations in these areas and ensure humanitarian access.  

The Co-Chair countries appeal to the international community  including ICRC, UN institutions, and other appropriate structures as  well as OSCE Minsk Group individual countries to take concrete steps  to improve the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and  adjacent areas in a coordinated way.  

The Co-Chairs also reiterate their strong support for the continuing  work of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office  (PRCiO) and his team.  The Co-Chair countries urge Armenia and  Azerbaijan to take advantage of the current ceasefire to negotiate a  lasting and sustainable peace agreement under the auspices of the  Co-Chairs. 

In that context, the Co-Chair countries urge the parties to receive  the Co-Chairs in the region at the earliest opportunity and to commit  to substantive negotiations to resolve all outstanding issues in  accordance with an agreed timetable.  The Co-Chair countries of the  OSCE Minsk Group recall their firm commitment to the non-use or  threat of force to settle disputes. 

They reiterate their consistent and united position in favor of a  negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all  remaining core substantive issues of the conflict in line with the  basic principles and elements well-known to both Armenia and  Azerbaijan. The Co-Chair countries remain fully committed to pursuing  this objective in line with their long-standing efforts to promote  peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.