Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan received today Ambassador Günther Bächler, Special Representative of the OSCE Austrian Chairmanship for the South Caucasus.
The Defense Minister expressed support for the priorities of the Austrian presidency targeted at the settlement of conflicts, easing of tensions and establishment of an atmosphere of trust.
Presenting the worrisome situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact, Vigen Sargsyan attached importance to the efforts towards implementation of an investigation mechanism and stressed the importance of condemnation of the breach of all arm control commitments by Azerbaijan.
Referring to the situation around the OSCE Yerevan Office, Vigen Sargsyan valued the role of the Office and the OSCE at large in the development of democratic institutions in Armenia, modernization of electoral systems and improvement of human rights.
Noting that Armenia’s cooperation with the OSCE is based on common values and principles, the Defense Minister deemed the Azerbaijani policy of hindering the activity of the Yerevan Office and defaming the initiatives of the OSCE unacceptable.
Ambassador Günther Bächler reiterated the importance of intensification of the OSCE efforts towards settlement of the Karabakh conflict and easing of tensions. he voiced hope that the situation around the Yerevan Office would be solved in compliance with the interests of Armenia and the OSCE.
The interlocutors exchanged views on the mechanisms of cooperation during the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia.
