The OSCE Chairperson, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, is concerned about the potential for deterioration in the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In a speech to a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Ažubalis called for parliamentarians’ support in working toward achieving “tangible progress in addressing protracted conflicts”, reads the statement on OSCE website.

“I have also met with the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group. I am concerned about the potential for deterioration in the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Casualties have been occurring at an increasing rate along the Contact Line. The OSCE role in pursuing a settlement of the Nagorno‐Karabakh conflict through stronger engagement by the Co-chairs of the Minsk Group will be maintained. We invite the conflict parties, and other OSCE participating States, to consider options for confidence-building measures and strengthening the OSCE monitoring activities, particularly in light of growing tensions on the ground.  As Chairman I will be visiting the South Caucuses in mid-March to pursue these matters further,” he said.