The fighting and tragic loss of life in late December once again underscored the importance of negotiations, OSCE Minsk Group U.S. Co-Chair Richard Hoagland said in response to a written inquiry by Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Asked whether it is necessary to condemn the aggressive actions of the Azerbaijani side and to impose sanctions in each of such cases, the diplomat said: “We continue to urge the sides to strictly adhere to the cease fire and take any steps to reduce tensions along the Line of Contact and the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.  The fighting and tragic loss of life in late December once again underscored the importance of negotiations and working towards a settlement that can bring lasting peace to the region.”

As reported earlier, Azerbaijani troops launched a diversionary infiltration attempt, on the early morning of December 29, at the Republic of Armenia (RA) state border, southeast of Chinari village in Tavush Province. As a result of this infiltration attempt, the Armenian armed forces suffered three casualties: Senior Lieutenant Shavarsh Melikyan, and Privates Edgar Narayan and Erik Abovyan. The Azerbaijani side suffered about seven losses. The body of one of the Azerbaijani casualties remained on the Armenian side.