Pope calls for peaceful solution to Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict
By Rashid Shirinov
The only way to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is through peaceful negotiations, Pope Francis said.
He made the remarks at a press conference dedicated to the results of his visit to the South Caucasus, the official website of the Pope stated on October 5.
“I think that the only way to resolve the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict is through peaceful dialogue, peace talks in the framework of international law. I see no other way. Another way is war, which is always followed by destructions,” the Pope said.
He also added that one needs to pray for peace.
During his historic visit to Azerbaijan on October 2, Pope Francis met with leadership of the country and the local Roman Catholic community and led Sunday Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baku.
While being in Baku, Pope Francis said he hopes that the Caucasus will be a place where, through dialogue and negotiation, disputes and differences will be resolved and overcome.
Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan laying territorial claims on its South Caucasus neighbor. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.
Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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