The Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs today labeled yesterday’s downing of an Armenian helicopter by Azerbaijan as an unprecedented violation of the ceasefire regime that could severely escalate tensions in the conflict zone.  

The ministry, in a statement released today, describes this latest provocation by Azerbaijan as yet further proof that Baku only has scorn for the OSCE Minsk Group and the international community in general.

“This incident again points to the immediate necessity of reenergizing efforts to strengthen the ceasefire regime and to draft and implement mechanisms to investigate all such violations of the ceasefire,” the ministry statement reads.

The ministry adds that the Armenian party to the conflict has made numerous such proposals that have been positively received by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.