YEREVAN.- U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern said there can be no attacks against civilian planes, the threat constantly voiced by Azerbaijan.

“As the representative of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, I have to stay behind the statements of the co-chairs on all aspects of the airport issue. In any case no matter what happens there cannot be attacks against civilian aircrafts,” he said, urging the sides not to take actions which will be provocative.

The airport of Stepanakert has been launched but no flights are being operated. Resumption of airport’s operation provokes hysteria in Azerbaijan.

Baku is constantly threatening to shoot down the planes flying to Stepanakert. Such threats directly contradict international law on civil aviation.  

As to NATO’s possible role in the Karabakh peace process, the Ambassador recalled that talks are held by the OSCE Minsk Group.