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Egypt supports peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

15 October 2015 15:30 (UTC+04:00)
Egypt supports peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

By Aynur Karimova

Egypt has voiced its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the UN Charter and the norms and principles of international law.

This was stated by Special Envoy of Egyptian President for non-permanent candidacy of Egypt to the UN Security Council, Mahammad Alahaddin Ali Showqi al-Hadidi, at a meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku on October 14.

Foreign Ministry reported that during the meeting, the sides expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt.

The Egyptian envoy stressed the importance of increasing efforts to develop economic and trade relations, as well as mutual cooperation in the field of tourism.

He said that if Egypt is elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, one of its main priorities would be fight against terrorism and its ideological aspects.

Mammadyarov, in turn, expressed gratitude to Egypt for supporting Azerbaijan's fair position in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the norms and principles of international law. He underlined the unacceptability of attempts to change the internationally recognized borders of states.

He also said that Armenia wants to cover its aggression to Azerbaijan and occupation by adding religious notes in the conflict.

Azerbaijan's foreign minister also spoke about the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism, the practice of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and stressed the importance of combatting Islamophobia tendencies in the world.

Mammadyarov recalled that being a non-permanent member to the UN Security Council in 2012-2013, combating terrorism was one of the main priorities for Azerbaijan, a country that has suffered from terrorism.

He said that Armenia has committed more than 30 different terror attacks in transport infrastructure and in other public places, during which thousands of innocent people became victims of these acts.

Mammadyarov wished Egypt success in the UN Security Council elections as well.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Since the war, the Armenian Armed Forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions.

Armenia continues the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal of armed forces.

Peace talks brokered by mediators from Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.

Egypt and Azerbaijan have relations dating back centuries, but in the last century, they have developed closer ties. Egyptians and Azerbaijanis have much in common: traditions, culture, customs, attitudes and religion. Since Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1991, the two countries started building relations in the political, economic, cultural and educational spheres.

Egypt recognized Azerbaijan's independence in December 1991 and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in March 1992. The countries cooperate in humanitarian and energy fields and enjoy the prospects of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, industry, alternative energy.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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