Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius said that his country is closely watching the situation on the line of contact in the Nagorno–Karabakh conflict zone.

“We are deeply concerned by continuous ceasefire violations, which resulted in a number of casualties, including among civilians in Alkhanli village of Fizuli region. On behalf of the Lithuanian people, I wish to extend my sincere condolences to all victims’ families,” he told Azertac.

The Armenian armed forces again violated ceasefire and, using 82-mm and 120-mm mortars and grenade launchers, shelled Azerbaijani positions and territories where the civilian population lives on July 4.

As a result of this provocation, the residents of the village Sakhiba Guliyeva, 50, and Zakhra Guliyeva, 2, were killed. Servinaz Guliyeva, 52, who got wounded, was taken to the hospital and was operated on.

Linkevičius stressed that Lithuania supports peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through negotiations based on fundamental principles, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act.

“In view of the renewed violence, Lithuania condemns, once again, the use of military force and calls on the sides of the conflict to cease military action immediately, to adhere to the cease-fire and to return to the negotiation table,” he said.

“We fully support mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and join the appeal for measures to reduce tensions in the conflict zone, as well as re-engagement of the parties in negotiations on substance, in good faith and with the necessary political will,” Linkevičius said.

For about three decades Armenia and Azerbaijan are in a state of war following Yerevan’s aggression, ethnic cleansing policy and illegal territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenia keeps under control over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions in a brutal war in the early 1990s.

Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement signed in 1994, Armenia keeps violating armistice with Azerbaijan.

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