YEREVAN. – The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs issued a strong statement calling for access to the remains of the helicopter pilots.

The US Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, stated this at Tuesday’s Twitter-conference. He noted this in response to the query as to how he would explain the inability of the international community to secure access to the crash site of the Armenian chopper which Azerbaijan had shot down.

“[It’s] up to parties to reduce tension,” he added.

In Heffern’s words, the co-chairs urge the sides to show restraint.

“[The] co-chairs urge sides to refocus efforts on negotiation of peaceful and lasting settlement,” the American diplomat also stated.

The British Ambassador to Armenia, Katherine (Kathy) Jane Leach, for her part, said that diplomacy can take time, but it is worth it if it saves lives.

“But for [the] families [of the pilots of the helicopter], [I’m] glad they were finally able to lay [their] sons to rest today,” she added.