MP: No other way to resolve Karabakh conflict but through Madrid principles
By Rashid Shirinov
Briefing titled “Averting all-out war in Nagorno-Karabakh: role of the U.S. and OSCE,” which was held on October 18 in the U.S. Senate, was more aimed at promoting Armenia and receiving more assistance for Armenia from the U.S, Azerbaijani MP Aydin Mirzazade told Trend on October 20.
Therefore, he noted, people who took such a position were invited to the event, and speeches were made in this direction.
“However, Ambassador James Warlick, who is former co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group from the U.S., and others made statements which were close to objectivity, the essence of which is that the conflict should be resolved within the framework of international law, and the problem should be phased out,” said Mirzazade.
The MP reminded that a phased plan includes the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Azerbaijani regions adjacent to Nagorno-Karabakh, the opening of the Lachin corridor and granting of a temporary status to Nagorno-Karabakh.
“These principles were proposed and they have been repeatedly discussed. The fact that they re-sounded at the briefing in the U.S. shows once again that there are no other ways to solve this problem but through these principles,” Mirzazade said.
The MP added that Azerbaijan will not agree to another option, and Armenia, continuing to remain on the same position, will further exacerbate its plight.
The two countries fought a lengthy war that ended with signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war, 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.
While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign state with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.
Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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