Missing ceasefire opportunity 'extremely dangerous' - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan's interview with RBC TV

In an with the Russian RBC TV Channel, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan addressed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), warning of the hazards of missing the recently reached humanitarian ceasefire.

"The situation is very changeable. The large-scale military actions, mainly in the eastern direction [of the frontline], resumed since early morning on October 10.  A 200-member commando attempted an incursion into the town of Hadrut in Nagorno-Karabakh. They pushed ahead using considerable force in an attempt to achieve something. And the strikes against the cities and towns - especially the capital, Stepanakert - never ceased over the period. The shelling continued until Saturday morning and the whole Sunday. Also there were strikes throughout the day on Monday," Mnatsakanyan said.  

Re-emphasizing the extreme importance of ending military actions for humanitarian purposes, the Minister appreciated the opportunity of reaching the ceasefire accord thanks to Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct engagement.

"It is extremely dangerous to lose it. Consultations are being conducted with both the International Committee of the Red Cross and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. It is necessary to reinforce the ceasefire regime to prevent the resumption of hostilities. Yes, the deployment of ceasefire maintenance verification mechanisms is being discussed in the frameworks of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship. Russia, on its part, is playing a very important role in that context. Both Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have acted and are still acting in favor of deploying the verification mechanisms, but the problem we have been encountering for so many years is that Azerbaijan is against the deployment of any mechanism aimed at the reinforcement of ceasefire," he added.

Mnatsakanyan also highly praised Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's role in brokering last week's humanitarian truce.

"The negotiations focused on very complicated and sensitive issues. There were many clauses as to the volumes to be considered and the succession of tbe steps to be undertaken. It took us 11 hours to reach an accord over four provisions, which were reflected in the statement. And here, notably, Sergey Lavrov's role was very important. I think it would be correct for the moment to refrain from any comment on that. What matters to me now is to reach a specific outcome.  There are questions on which we are in total disagreement with the Azerbaijani side, but the important thing is that we approached the issue with a great responsibility, the kind of responsibility which we have to our people," the minister said.