It would be good if the Armenian side unilaterally removed snipers from the line of contact as a gesture of goodwill, head of OSCE told the journalists in Yerevan.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Audronius Azubalis stressed there is no alternative to peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict which requires easing of tension in the region. One cannot achieve peaceful solution pointing weapons at each other. “Let’s remove snipers from the contact line and create a hotline,” Azubalis said adding he had discussed with Minsk Group Co-Chairs initiating of an investigation into the incidents on frontline.  

“I learn another incident happened in the line of contact. I express my concern and insist on removal of snipers,” he said, noting OSCE has no precise mechanisms to conduct the mission but organization can propose the way to advance.

Azubalis welcomes exchange of POWs stressing in the course of yesterday’s meeting with Co-Chairs he realized all the sides are interested in an investigation into the incidents.

“Next week Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk will leave for Vienna to discuss precise mechanisms for international investigation,” he concluded.