Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and International Organizations about Downed Helicopter

After the meeting of the Presidents in Paris on October 27, Armenia began large-scale military exercises in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The exercises have involved a lot of live force and military equipment. In the last three days there have been observed provocative flights of combat Air Force on the Armenian side.

November 12, two helicopters I-24 were fired on the Armenian side, after they attacked the Azerbaijani positions on the line of contact. Returning fire, one of them was shot down, while the other was forced to flee the fire.

"The illegal invasion of airspace of Azerbaijan by a military helicopter from Armenia is a continuation of the occupation and aggression against Azerbaijan. Rather than proceed with concrete measures for drafting a big peace treaty, this deliberate provocation of Armenia seeks to complicate the situation, to disrupt the peace talks and consolidate the status quo," the statement reads.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the main cause of tension is the presence of the Armenian armed forces in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. For a peaceful settlement of the conflict and to restore peace to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan the Armenian Armed Forces should be withdrawn, said the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, the US State Department has expressed concern about the destruction of the Armenian helicopter. Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that this incident does not serve to reduce tensions and preserve respect for the ceasefire.

Brussels also responded to the incident. The EU Foreign Service called upon the parties to show restraint. The head of the service, Frederica Mogerini stated that "all the parties should show restraint and refrain from statements and actions that complicate the situation." -16D04-