U.S., Russia, France condemn foreign powers participation in Karabakh escalation

The countries participating in the Karabakh Minsk Group condemned in a joint statement issued by their representatives (Igor Popov representing Russia, Andrew Scheffer for the United States of America and Stephan Visconti for France) in the strongest terms the continuing violence in Karabakh and the bombing of targets located deep in the territories of Armenia and Azerbaijan, outside the line of contact between the two sides.

The three countries called on "the parties to the conflict to fully fulfill their international obligations relating to the protection of civilians."

The participants in the Minsk group considered "choosing civilians as a military objective and exposing the local population to danger is absolutely unacceptable, whatever the circumstances," expressing their concern about the increase of the number of civilian casualties.

In their statement, the participants emphasized that "the participation of external forces in the escalation of violence undermines efforts to spread sustainable peace in the region."

D.H