YEREVAN. - Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime in the north-eastern section of Armenian-Azerbaijani state border on September 24, applying weapons of different calibers and mortars. Border villages were shelled, this resulting in the deaths of several civilians in Tavush province of Armenia, Armenia’s Defense Ministy statement reads.

“It’s worth mentioning that the Azerbaijani side is always resorting to provocative actions on the eve of talks and meetings aimed at the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, intentionally creating tension on the border. All this is once again indicative of the fact that the military and political leadership of the neighbor country is ignoring the initiatives aimed at the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, regularly and artificially destabilizing the situation on the line of contact.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia announces that the situation emerged is the result of the insidious strategy of Azerbaijan’s military and political leadership, which actually contradicts the logic of the talks held in the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, as well as the principles of international humanitarian law.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia once again urges the Azerbaijani side to keep away from steps aimed at exacerbating the situation and take efficient measures to stabilize it. We urge the Azerbaijani population bordering with the Republic of Armenian to avoid serving as a shield for their own Armed Forces any longer.

To stabilize the situation in the border zone and restrain the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, the Armed Forces of Armenia will take adequate measures, as a result of which the whole responsibility will be born by Azerbaijan’s military and political leadership.”