OSCE official calls on Yerevan, Baku to adhere to ceasefire in run up to religious holidays
YEREVAN. March 18 (Interfax) - Andrzej Kasprzyk, the OSCE chairperson-in-office's personal representative, has called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to strictly adhere to a ceasefire agreement in the run-up to the religious holidays of Easter and Nowruz Bairam.
Kasprzyk said in a statement, posted on the OSCE website, that he had conducted a monitoring exercise on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan as part of his mandate. "I received information from both sides on recent developments on the border, and listened to their concerns. Both sides highlighted the proximity of villages to the front lines, and that civilians have suffered greatly from ceasefire violations as a particular concern," he said.
"In light of the upcoming Nowruz Bayram and Easter holidays, I call on the sides to strictly adhere to the ceasefire, and to avoid any action on the line of contact, or on the border, that could lead to an increase in tensions," Kasprzyk said.
"I would like to take this opportunity to wish the people of the region all the best on the occasions of the upcoming holidays," he said.