Baku to clarify Russian mediator’s remarks
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has said the recent statements
reportedly made by the newly-appointed Russian co-chairman of the
OSCE Minsk Group (MG) brokering settlement to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh will be
specified.
Igor Popov held meetings on Thursday with separatist leaders in Khankandi, the center of the self-proclaimed Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh republic. Armenian media quoted him as saying that Armenian residents of Upper Garabagh are to join the ongoing talks on Garabagh settlement at a certain stage.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy part of Azerbaijani territory, defying international law. OSCE-brokered negotiations have been largely fruitless so far and Azerbaijani refugees displaced during the armed conflict remain stranded. Baku says the occupied districts must be freed and the refugees returned home, and only after that could the status of Upper Garabagh be determined within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Popov reportedly said during his visit that discussions also covered socio-economic problems in Upper Garabagh and construction of an airport in Khankandi.
Elkhan Polukhov, the spokesman for the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the statements reportedly made by the new Russian MG co-chairman, particularly the airport construction issue, will be specified.*
Igor Popov held meetings on Thursday with separatist leaders in Khankandi, the center of the self-proclaimed Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh republic. Armenian media quoted him as saying that Armenian residents of Upper Garabagh are to join the ongoing talks on Garabagh settlement at a certain stage.
Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy part of Azerbaijani territory, defying international law. OSCE-brokered negotiations have been largely fruitless so far and Azerbaijani refugees displaced during the armed conflict remain stranded. Baku says the occupied districts must be freed and the refugees returned home, and only after that could the status of Upper Garabagh be determined within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.
Popov reportedly said during his visit that discussions also covered socio-economic problems in Upper Garabagh and construction of an airport in Khankandi.
Elkhan Polukhov, the spokesman for the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the statements reportedly made by the new Russian MG co-chairman, particularly the airport construction issue, will be specified.*
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