Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov talked on the phone with Foreign Ministers of Georgia, The Republic of France and Lithuania on the recent tension in the frontline

Elmar Mammadyarov briefed his counterparts about the tension in the line of contact. He stressed that Armenian armed forces targeting civil objects and civilians densely residing in the territories adjacent to the frontline area open intensive heavy weapons fire at the positions of Azerbaijan’s armed forces along the line of contact and as a result a number of civilians were killed and wounded.

Minister mentioned that contrary to the decision of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan on April 3, 2016 in a peaceful and goodwill manner to suspend unilaterally counter and responsive measures, Armenian armed forces targeting residential areas and civilians continue to violate the cease-fire along the line of contact.
Elmar Mammadyarov also emphasized that armed forces of Azerbaijan have taken the necessary counter measures to guarantee the safety of civilian population and stop the provocations of Armenia.

Minister added that illegal presence of Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan remains a main cause for the escalation of situation.

Elmar Mammadyarov stressed that in order to ease the tension and achieve progress in the conflict settlement Armenian forces must be withdrawn from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan. He reiterated that the conflict can only be solved within the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the basis of territorial integrity and sovereignty.