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The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of Russia Stéphane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States), released on Monday a statement on the recent escalation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Citing reports from defense ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as other sources, the Co-Chairs report about serious breach of the ceasefire on the border registered on 12-13 July that also resulted in casualties. Artillery of various calibers reportedly was used by both forces.

“The Co-Chairs and Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-office (PRCIO) Andrzej Kasprzyk regret the loss of life and offer their condolences to the families of those who were killed and injured. The Co-Chairs and PRCiO have been in direct contact with Armenian and Azerbaijani officials since the beginning of the incident,” the statement read in part.

It says the sides have accused each other of initiating the fighting. “The Minsk Group Co‑Chairs condemn the recent ceasefire violations and call upon the sides to take all necessary measures to prevent any further escalation, including by use of the existing direct communication channels between them,” according to the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

The also call on the sides to resume substantive negotiations as soon as possible and emphasize the importance of returning OSCE monitors to the region as soon as circumstances allow.