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Baku expects new efforts from OSCE MG

19 December 2016 12:02 (UTC+04:00)
Baku expects new efforts from OSCE MG

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan expects new efforts from the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, established to mediate for peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the countries they represent in regard to the conflict resolution.

Bahar Muradova, vice-speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE PA, made the remark while talking to Trend on December 19.

She said Azerbaijan expects positive changes next year in the settlement of the conflict.

“Conflicts, which threaten international security, people's lives and cooperation between the countries in the region, should be settled,” Muradova said, emphasizing that the territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries should be maintained, and the aggressor must leave the occupied lands.

Muradova noted that Azerbaijan wants a fair approach. "The fair approach is to comply with the principles of international law. If these principles are respected, then the conflict will be resolved fairly," she said.

The vice-speaker further noted that the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution was active this year also, mentioning that visits were carried out and meetings were held. "However, there was no progress in the process," Muradova noted.

Muradova stressed that the April events demonstrated not only to Armenia, but also to the whole world that this situation cannot continue.

"The international circles wishing to preserve the status quo and acting in this direction now are convinced that the status quo does not suit everyone and needs to be changed," she said.

She noted that the April events indicated that the prolongation of the conflict and the lack of an appropriate approach to its solution can lead to serious consequences for the region.

The conflict between the two neighboring countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts. The Armenian hostilities resulted in killing more than 20,000 Azerbaijanis. Furthermore, over 1 million had to leave their homes and were displaced. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

However, 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.

After the clashes in April 2016, the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents met in Vienna and St. Petersburg for negotiations. However, the process of resolving the conflict came to stagnation after that due to Armenia's reluctance.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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