No:508/21, Information of the Press Service Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan on provocations of the Armenian armed forces along the Azerbaijani-Armenian border

As reported by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in recent days, the Armenian armed forces have continued provocations on the Azerbaijan-Armenia border in the direction of the Kalbajar region.​

On December 8, 2021, Asif Adil oglu Aliyev, a serviceman of the Azerbaijani Army, was killed as a result of another provocation in the direction of the Kalbajar region of the state border.

On December 9-10, Armenian military units intensively fired on the positions of the Azerbaijani Army in Kalbajar region from the combat positions located in the direction of Basarkechar region. As a result of the retaliatory measures of the Azerbaijani Army, the provocations of the opposite side were prevented.​

At a time when Azerbaijan is taking steps towards the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia in a post-conflict period, especially on the eve of the Moscow meeting of the «3 + 3» format consultation mechanism, Armenia's continued provocative activities demonstrate the country's aggressive stance and undermine regional peacebuilding efforts. ​

Responsibility for the tension on the border between the two countries and the bloody crime committed in the direction of the Kalbajar region lies directly with the military-political leadership of Armenia.​

The accusation of Azerbaijan by the Armenian Foreign Ministry of violating the sovereign territories of this country is completely unfounded. In order to prevent such false accusations, Azerbaijan supports the start of negotiations on the delimitation of the border between the two countries as soon as possible.

If Armenia really wants peace and stability in the region, then it must take real steps to normalize relations and put an end to imitations.​

We call on the Armenian side to refrain from attempts to obstruct the peacebuilding process, purposefully creating deliberate tensions in the region, and to fully implement the trilateral statements in accordance with the obligations assumed.