OSCE Minsk Group Calls On Both Sides To Return To The Negotiation Process

The OSCE Minsk Group has urged the parties to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to promptly return to the negotiation process. The statement issued on Tuesday says that the parties should immediately stop the use of force, as there is no military solution to the conflict.

"We, the representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group countries (Russian Federation, the United States of America, France, Belarus, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Turkey), as well as the incoming Austrian OSCE Chair (2017) and the Serbian OSCE Chair (2015), strongly condemn the outbreak of unprecedented violence along the Line of Contact," the statement says. "We extend our condolences to all affected families. We urge the sides to cease using force immediately. There is no military solution to the conflict."

According to the Minsk Group, "the deterioration of the situation on the ground demonstrates the need for an immediate negotiation, under the auspices of the co-chairs, on a comprehensive settlement." Representatives of the Minsk Group member-countries have reaffirmed their support for the co-chairs from Russia, the U.S. and France in their mediation efforts and hailed their plans to hold direct consultations with the parties at an early date.