Question: The proposal of your Lithuanian counterpart, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Audronius Azubalis on unilateral withdrawal of snipers caused a serious discontent in society. Of course you reacted immediately, we know that. Why did not Audronius Azubalis make a similar statement in Azerbaijan that uses its snipers every day and masterminds provocations?

Answer: The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Lithuania's Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis did not probably make such an impromptu proposal in Azerbaijan because not witnessing a good will, constructive approach to this issue in Baku and having a genuine concern and desiring so that the number of victims did not increase, he is trying to make a positive step in this direction by Armenia’s support, recognizing that

Armenia is against use of force or threat of use of force and is in favor of peace. Taking into account that one could hardly expect any adequate response from Azerbaijan to those steps and the fact that Azerbaijan has stubbornly refused the proposals made by the international community on withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact, it is first of all necessary to work with Azerbaijan, and not with Armenia or Karabakh that have given a positive reaction to this proposal.

Question: Now after your reaction, what do you think would a proposal be made to Azerbaijan as well?

Answer: I think that new proposals could be initiated by Azubalis too, who previously made a proposal, as did the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and representatives of various instances of the international community on the withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact. Until now Azerbaijan has stubbornly refused all those proposals. This is the reality.