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Armenian Defense Ministry issued a statement in connection with gunfire opened by Azerbaijan at Armenian positions in Nakhichevan section of the border, near the settlement of Gorayk in Armenia’s Syunik province.

The spokesman for Armenian Defense Ministry Artsrun Hovhannisyan earlier wrote on his Facebook page: “Around 6:30 pm June 26 the enemy opened heavy fire at Armenian positions in Nakhichevan section of the border, near Gorayk settlement of Armenia’s Syunik province. Large-caliber guns were also used. The enemy suffered serious casualties after the Armenian side returned fire. Unfortunately, Private Arman Yepremyan, 28, a contract serviceman of the Armenian armed forces, was killed in battle”.

“Such actions of Azerbaijani troops run counter to the spirit and logic of the negotiation process on the Karabakh conflict settlement under the co-chairmanship of the OSCE Minsk Group and could dramatically destabilize the situation. The military and political leadership of Azerbaijan bears all responsibility for this.

Armenian Defense Ministry draws the attention of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs and the international community to the fact that the actions of Azerbaijani side coincide with the end of First European Games in Baku and an anniversary of the formation of the Azerbaijani armed forces. This confirms the continuation of that state’s militaristic policy and the need for measures to ensure control of the situation, confidence building, and introduction of incident investigation mechanisms on the line of contact – which was repeatedly proposed by the international community and approved by Armenia.

We also call on the Azerbaijani side to refrain from any provocative steps on further escalation of the situation and to make efforts so that the calm situation established at the start of European Games will continue,” the statement says.