The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbiaթ§Չ-Չ§s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has expressed concerns over the recent developments along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the Line of Contact surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh,
թ§Չ-ժI would like to urge the sides to ensure a full cessation of hostilities as stipulated in the May 1994 agreement,թ§Չ-Թ Trend News Agency quotes him as saying. թ§Չ-ժI deplore the upsurge in acts of violence resulting in loss of lives, and I call on the sides to demonstrate responsibility and avoid steps that would lead to further escalation.թ§Չ-Թ
The official added the contacts between presidents and at other levels, remain central to progress, adding that they must be underpinned by a full ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
թ§Չ-ժThe meetings in 2014 between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Sochi, Newport and Paris were positive steps in the right direction,թ§Չ-Թ he said.
Noting that OSCE continues to facilitate direct contacts, Mr Dacic said that it only the parties alone can and must enforce a ceasefire.
He reportedly reaffirmed support for the Personal Representative Andrzej Kasprzyk, who is charged with encouraging direct contact, and with helping the parties develop and implement new and much needed confidence-building measures.
թ§Չ-ժI also strongly support the joint efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, especially those aiming at strengthening the ceasefire and developing a common basis for negotiations,թ§Չ-Թ he said. թ§Չ-ժI encourage the parties to make full use of the OSCE toolbox and to take measurable steps towards a peaceful and lasting settlement.թ§Չ-Թ
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