YEREVAN, 3 JULY, NOYAN TAPAN: On July 3, the Department of Information and Public Relations of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense disseminated a press release on the following: “On July 1, Head of the Azeri Defense Ministry’s press service E. Sabiroglu made statements according to which Yerevan’s initiative to remove marksmen from the line of contact “will not solve the issue”. In relation to that, we would like to remind Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry press speaker that removing marksmen is proposed by the OSCE MG Co-Chairs and the Armenian side has given its consent, noting that that could truly weaken the existing tension on the line of contact and minimize losses. As far as Sabiroglu’s statement on the violations of the ceasefire regime is concerned, we inform once again that the subdivisions of the Armenian Armed Forces are strictly following up on maintaining the ceasefire and take action only in response to the firing from the opponent. Proof of this is Azerbaijan’s subversive attack on June 18, which led to deaths and injuries on both sides. Let us also mention that instead of making constructive statements, Azerbaijan’s military-political elite always makes bellicose statements, disseminating threats of war and misinformation. This not only doesn’t contribute to the Karabakh conflict settlement, but intensifies the situation on the Armenian-Azeri line of contact as well.”

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