Azernews.Az

By Gunay Hasanova

Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Board Sheikhulislam Allahshukur Pashazade at a meeting in Moscow expressed his gratitude to the Russian Orthodox Church for its efforts on peaceful solution of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

"The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is a wound for everyone, both Muslims and Christians. We appreciate your efforts to ensure that this conflict has not passed on the religious level. You aspire to make every effort to ensure that this conflict to be resolved peacefully,” said Pashazade said, RIA Novosti reported on November 22.

In turn, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia said that thanks to the joint efforts of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Caucasian Muslims Board - the highest spiritual and administrative authority of Muslim countries in the Trans-Caucasian region, we could prevent the radicalization of the conflict and to make sure that it “didn’t inflict serious wounds on the body of people who live there and suffer.”

Moreover, Patriarch also expressed his gratitude to the authorities of Azerbaijan and the country's Muslim community for their support and safe condition of the Baku-Azerbaijan Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia still controls fifth part of Azerbaijan's territory and rejects implementing four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

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Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @gunhasanova

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