Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijan has accused Armenia, a neighboring South Caucasus republic with which it faces a long-standing conflict, of "disrespect" for the international community and its rights.

"Armenia continues pursuing a policy of disrespecting the world community and Azerbaijan’s international rights regarding Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement," Ali Hasanov, the head of the Azerbaijan Presidential Administration socio-political department, told reporters Thursday.

His comments came a day after the Armenian parliament passed legislation that would allow the country to sign deals with unrecognized republics.

The conflict between the two former Soviet republics began in 1988 due to Armenia’s territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Following a brutal war, the two countries signed a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia has been occupying Nagorno Karabakh and seven adjacent Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law since then. Though the separatist regime in Nagorno Karabakh declared so-called independence in 1991, it has not been recognized by the world community.

Hasanov said that following last week’s OSCE summit in Astana, all three countries co-chairing the mediating OSCE Minsk Group - the United States, Russia and France – expressed concern over delays in Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. He said "Azerbaijan’s will" has somewhat contributed to this, as its warnings that the lingering conflict poses a threat worry the world community, and extensive international efforts are therefore being made to achieve a solution of the long-lasting dispute.

"But Armenia’s non-constructive position has caused a deadlock [in the conflict settlement] to some extent. In other words, there is nothing new, and no shift toward progress is discerned. The Armenians’ bringing the previously agreed issues to the agenda and their dragging out peace talks shows that they are treating the conflict settlement negligently. Armenia’s ongoing illegal settlements in the occupied territories, attempts to rename [Azerbaijani] historical sites and the Armenian parliament’s legalizing ties with separatist regimes indicates that Yerevan is holding on to its non-constructive stance on the Karabakh problem."

Hasanov also said Armenia continues dictating its position to the OSCE and is ignoring UN resolutions on Karabakh settlement and international attempts to move the peace process forward.

He noted that it was hard to say how long Armenia’s defiance will persist, but added: "The Azerbaijani government will not tolerate this for long, and will try to avail of all means at its disposal that are stipulated by international law to liberate its occupied territories."

Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly warned that the country’s land will be freed at any cost.