Germany expresses support to Azerbaijani territorial integrity
By Sara Rajabova
Germany, which is one of the most powerful countries not only in Europe, but also in the world, has confirmed that occupied by Armenia Nagorno-Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan in terms of the international law.
German Federal Foreign Office has released a report on the recent meeting of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs with Stephan Steinlein, the State Secretary of German Federal Foreign Office on December 12, Federal Foreign Office said.
“Against the backdrop of the increasing risk of tension, the meeting between Minsk Group co-chairs and German state secretary was focused on the ways of political settlement of Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict which has been continuing for over 20 years,” Federal Foreign Office said.
The sides discussed making trust between the conflicting sides and the necessity of active participation of the European Union in the conflict settlement process.
“Starting from 1992, OSCE Minsk Group has been leading the negotiations on the political settlement of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh - the territory of Azerbaijan in terms of the international law - occupied by Armenia,” the report said.
Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly one million were displaced as a result of the war.
Large-scale hostilities ended with a Russia-brokered ceasefire in 1994 but Armenia continued the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.
Peace talks mediated by Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.
Federal Foreign Office noted that the co-chairs are holding negotiations with the conflicting sides – Armenia and Azerbaijan – on this issue, adding that numerous negotiations have been held in recent months with the participation of presidents of both countries.
However, it expressed concern over recent escalation of tensions on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani troops.
“At the same time, the number of deaths on the contact line of Armenian and Azerbaijani armies increased in 2014. Moreover, an Armenian military helicopter was shot down by Azerbaijan,” Federal Foreign Office said.
Tensions along the frontline were aggravated in mid-summer as Armenian armed forces attacked Azerbaijani positions. Sporadic fighting has continued ever since. Fourteen Azerbaijani servicemen were killed and several others injured during the clashes between two sides. Armenia hasn't released the exact number of its casualties.
A while ago, Armenian air forces were engaged in provocative moves against the armed forces of Azerbaijan. Two Mi-24 attack helicopters of the Armenian air forces approached and made attack maneuvers in the immediate vicinity of the positions of the Azerbaijani armed forces nearby the village of Kengerly in the occupied Aghdam region on November 12 . One of the helicopters was shot down by Azerbaijani forces on the very same occupied territory.