OSCE Minsk Group intends to achieve end to military operations in Nagorno Karabakh – French FM

The OSCE Minsk Group intends to achieve an end to the military operations in Nagorno Karabakh and the quick resumption of negotiations without preconditions, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian made a statement with the results of his contacts with the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs, reports TASS.

“In line with the spirit of the October 1 statement made by the US, French and Russian Presidents, I highlighted France’s determination, as a Minsk Group Co-Chair country, to assume its role in achieving the end of hostilities and quickly resuming the negotiations without preconditions under the auspices of the Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship”, he said.

The French FM stated that the prolongation of hostilities will only lead to increase in casualties, including among civilians, as well as will cause escalation risks which can come out of Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s control. “I have warned my counterparts about the risk of the internationalization of the conflict”, he said.

Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a telephone conversation with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The Armenian FM introduced his French counterpart on the targeted incidents of journalists covering the current situation in Artsakh, in particular presenting the condition of French rep...