FM: Sending so-called “needs assessment mission” to Armenia without consensus blatant violation of OSCE mandates

Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has called on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to correct the flagrant violation of its mandate by sending a mission to Armenia without consensus.

"The principle of consensus-based decision-making is clearly reflected in all major OSCE decisions. For years Azerbaijan suffered from the misuse of consensus within the Organization. Nevertheless, we always advocated for strict adherence to the letter and spirit of cooperative security, firmly underpinning the OSCE and its conflict cycle toolbox," Bayramov said at the 29th Meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Lodz, Poland on December 1, Caliber.Az reports.

"In this regard, sending a so-called “needs assessment mission” to Armenia without consensus is a blatant violation of mandates adopted by the collective will of all participating States. All OSCE institutions, including the Chairmanship and Secretariat, are established as common assets for all participating States. Failure to act accordingly undermines confidence. Azerbaijan calls upon these institutions to rectify the gross violation of their mandates."

The Foreign Minister added that Azerbaijan is also resolute to re-integrate its citizens of Armenian origin residing in post-conflict territories into its political, social and economic space, guaranteeing the same rights and freedoms as all the citizens of Azerbaijan.

"The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan provides a solid legal framework in this regard. Increased dialogue and contacts over the past months between central Azerbaijani authorities and local ethnic Armenian residents need to be encouraged and sustained," Bayramov said.