France, as a co-chairing state of the OSCE Minsk Group, expressed its deep concern over the violent incidents on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan resulted in killings of eight soldiers over the recent days.

In a statement French Foreign Ministry urged the sides to refrain from use of force and respect the ceasefire agreement reached in 1994.

“There is no military solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” the statement says.

The parties must be fully committed to implement a peaceful settlement based on the principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, in particular non-use of force, territorial integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination.

“Another meeting of foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan with the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group is planned for June in Paris to continue negotiations. We work in preparing this meeting,” the statement says.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, an Azerbaijani diversion operation claimed the lives of three Armenian soldiers and wounded six others in the early morning hours on Monday near Bardavan and Chinari villages of Tavush Region.

On the night of June 5 a new act of sabotage was conducted in the same direction which was prevented by the Armenian side. Five Azerbaijani soldiers were killed. The Armenian side incurred no losses.

Another act of sabotage planned by Azerbaijan occurred on the night of June 6. As a result of the skirmish, the adversary suffered considerable losses. One Armenian soldier was killed, two others were injured.