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Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan spoke with Personal Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk by phone today, on December 9, according to the press service of Armenian Defense Ministry.

The situation that emerged in recent days on Armenia-Azerbaijan state border and the line of contact between the armed forces of Karabakh and Azerbaijan was discussed during the telephone conversation.
The defense minister of Armenia informed Ambassador Kasprzyk about provocations launched by the Azerbaijani side on December 6 when a constitutional referendum was held in Armenia and in the next few days, and about response actions of the Armenian side.

In particular, Seyran Ohanyan expressed concern over the fact that Azerbaijan is persistently destabilizing the situation. He said that it was the first time since the signing of the ceasefire that Azerbaijan opened fire from 125mm tank guns yesterday at position of Nagorno Karabakh’s Defense Army. This poses a risk of escalating tensions to a new level, Ohanyhan said.

In order to make Azerbaijan adhere to the logic of the negotiating process, a targeted response of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs is needed in parallel with the Armenian side’ actions on deterrence by using force, Minister Ohanyan said.

Andrzej Kasprzyk expressed concern about the current situation and promised to take the relevant measures.