On July 29, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs also issued a statement, the key message of which was taking steps to reduce tensions along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which called on Azerbaijan and Armenia to refrain from provocative statements, as well as the resumption of the peaceful negotiation process for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs.

The Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this today, on 12 August, before the government sitting, speaking about the de-escalation of the situation in the region, the steps to establish long-term stability and peace.

The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Armenia issued a statement on July 30, by which saluted the statement of the Co-chairs, showing the commitment of the Republic of Armenia to start peaceful negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs.

According to the Prime Minister, the call of the Co-chairs to refrain from provocative actions and announcements is definitely acceptable for us. It’s obvious that the preservation of this condition has a key role for the establishment of an appropriate negotiation atmosphere. “And if the issue of the traceability of provocative statements is not a big problem, the issue of the party initiating provocative actions, ceasefire violations is always a source of debate.

I have said before, and now I think that the identification of the party initiating the ceasefire violations, the targeted condemnation of that provocative act, is essential for the further de-escalation and stabilization of the situation. However, such a function is difficult to imagine without the launch of an international monitoring mechanism,” Nikol Pashinyan said.

He also stated that the future deepening of enmity and atmosphere of hostility in our region is inadmissible.

“The Republic of Armenia is convinced that lasting peace, stability, security and economic development in the region requires the development and/or establishment of normal relations with neighboring countries. The deepening or normalization of relations with bordering countries will be one of the important directions of our government’s foreign policy.

In this context I find it noteworthy that some forces are attempting to show Armenia’s intentions in a bad light, claiming as if the Republic of Armenia has declared military reforms a priority in the context of engaging in aggressive policy against bordering countries. The Republic of Armenia, like any other peace-loving country, will develop and transform its military not for aggression but for defending itself from any potential aggression, and we don’t have any intentions of conquest. Our intention is the protection of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. We don’t have any aggressive intentions, and regional peace and stability is our long-term strategy. We are ready to engage in active dialogue around this agenda, with the support of our international partners, if necessary also through direct contacts. We will discuss these issues in more detail during the adoption of the 5-year government action plan,” the Prime Minister said.