High Level Thematic Debate of the UN GA - In a World of Risks: A New Commitment for Peace - Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations

High Level Thematic Debate of the UN GA - In a World of Risks: A New Commitment for Peace

11 May, 2016

Statement by Mr Zohrab Mnatsakanyan,

Mr President,

I join all others in thanking the President of the General Assembly for organizing this important High Level Debate. In fact, I wish to express our deep appreciation for the proactive approach of the President to engage member states in high-level discussions on matters of strategic importance for the Organisation.

Mr President,

This meeting takes place at a time of extreme concern for Armenia. While reflecting on the subject of today’s Thematic Debate and its implication to our region, I would recall the consistent warnings of Armenia, including within the United Nations, that sooner or later Azerbaijan would become hostage to its persistent policy seeking military adventurism.

In the early hours of 2 April, Azerbaijan unleashed a large-scale offensive operation against Nagorno Karabakh, thus violating the 1994 Trilateral Ceasefire Agreement signed between Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh and Armenia. This Agreement, as well as the 1995 Trilateral Agreement on the Consolidation of Ceasefire has no time limitations.

From the very beginning of the Azerbaijani offensive, the civilian infrastructure and civilian population, including children and the elderly, became their intentional and indiscriminate targets. Among the first civilian victims were a 12 year-old boy who was killed in front of a school building as a result of a Grad missile attack, and two other schoolchildren who were wounded. Three elderly persons, including a 92 year-old woman, were brutally tortured, mutilated and killed. Three captive soldiers of the Nagorno Karabakh Defence Army were beheaded by Azerbaijani armed forces in ISIL style, which was subsequently celebrated in the towns and villages of Azerbaijan and publicized through their social networks.

Presently there remains a considerably high concentration of troops and military equipment of the armed forces of Azerbaijan along the Line of Contact, which renders the situation highly precarious and points at the continuation of the aggressive policy of Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijan bears full responsibility for the present situation and the risks of its further deterioration.

Mr President,

Today, it is imperative to preclude the future reoccurrence of what happened in the beginning of April, to ensure that the dangerous attempts on seeking military solution to the issue will be effectively curbed. The implementation of the confidence building measures proposed by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs will certainly serve that purpose, including the creation of the mechanism of investigation for the violations of the cease-fire and capacity enhancement of the team of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. It is also critical for the international community to urge Azerbaijan to strictly commit to the 1994 Trilateral Ceasefire Agreement and the 1995 Trilateral Agreement on the Consolidation of the Ceasefire between Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Such concrete steps could allow restoring the negotiation environment and continuing the peace process, to which Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh remain wholly committed.

The only internationally mandated format for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict remains the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship. Armenia commends and appreciates the continued support of the United Nations, and of the Secretary General in particular, to the peace process within this internationally agreed format.

Thank you

MFA RA
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