Moscow expresses serious concern about the sharp escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and is ready to provide the necessary assistance to stabilize the situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"The Russian Foreign Ministry expresses serious concern about the sharp escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on July 12. According to incoming information, the fighting continues. Artillery is used. There are dead and wounded. We bring our condolences to the families and friends of the victims," the Ministry said in a statement.
Moscow also considers unacceptable further escalation that threatens the security of the region, the statement said. "We call on the warring parties to exercise restraint and strictly adhere to the ceasefire. For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry is ready to provide the necessary assistance to stabilize the situation," the Ministry added.
Today, Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Russia Elmar Mammadyarov and Sergey Lavrov discussed the incident on the border with Armenia over the phone. The Russian Minister said that it was unacceptable to increase tension in the region and the need to control the situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister held talks with the Russian Ambassador to the Minsk Group
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov discussed the situation on the border with Armenia with Russian Ambassador to the Minsk Group Igor Popov and personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk.
"On July 13, 2020, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov held telephone talks with the co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group from the Russian Federation Igor Popov and personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-office Andrzej Kasprzyk. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov informed the parties about the prevention of an attack by the Armenian armed forces and the current situation in the region, expressing serious dissatisfaction and assessing this new provocation by Armenia as an act of aggression. According to Mammadyarov, the provocation was aimed at involving third countries in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and distracting the Armenian society from internal problems," the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
Turkey supports Azerbaijan
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said today that Turkey intended to support Azerbaijan in connection with the aggravation of the situation on the border with Armenia. "What Armenia is doing is unacceptable. Let it come to senses. We will continue to support Azerbaijan to preserve its territorial integrity. Azerbaijan is not alone, " Cavusoglu said TRT TV.
On Sunday, the clash took place on the border of the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan with the Tavush region of Armenia. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that the Armenian military fired on its positions. According to Baku, three Azerbaijani soldiers were killed, and the Armenian military also suffered losses. The Armenian Defense Ministry also stated that the Azerbaijani military tried to capture the Armenian stronghold with the support of artillery. According to Yerevan, Azerbaijan suffered losses, but Armenia did not. The Armenian Defense Ministry said that the Azerbaijani side continued firing on Monday.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from RIA Novosti