Following the closed meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 19 October 2020, chairs of OSCE Minsk Group (United States, France, and Russia) presented a draft statement on behalf of the UNSC President for members’ approval. However, we are noting with deep concern that 4 UNSC resolutions (822, 853, 874, and 884), demanding immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces from the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, adopted in 1993 were not referred to in the draft statement, although those resolutions were adopted in 1993 unanimously by all members as well as three co-chairs.

Seven members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) - Indonesia, Niger, Vietnam, Tunisia, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines - which are represented in the Security Council proposed that the draft should include references to the afore-mentioned Security Council resolutions. However, the co-chairs insisted not to mention the resolutions in the draft statement and attempted to adopt the statement through a silent procedure. Under these circumstances, the above-mentioned members of the Security Council from NAM rejected approval of the draft statement.

It is worth mentioning that the draft statement lacked any logic, blindly calling for ceasefire and negotiations, avoiding differentiating the aggressor and the victim, and without any condemnation of the aggressor. The unfairness and partiality leave no choice, but to assume that co-chairs are tacit if not open supporters of an aggressor!

We are deeply worried by such an attitude of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in the UN Security Council. It is also obvious that such activities by the permanent members of the UN Security Council contribute to the loss of its credibility and prestige among such responsible members of the UN like the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Due to the ineffectiveness of the UN Security Council in implementing its own resolutions, Azerbaijani Army launched counter-offensive operations for the purpose of self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and has already implemented the UNSC Resolution №884 thus by successfully liberating the Zangilan district.

The only way to ensure peace and stability in our region is to urge Armenia to withdraw all its occupying forces from the territories of Azerbaijan. We call on international organizations and world youth to stand with Azerbaijan in its just cause!

#KarabakhIsAzerbaijan

#StopArmenianAggression