Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has told leaders of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states that the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh poses a threat to the region and is impeding the implementation of "economic plans".

"Outstanding problems, conflicts and proposals do not allow us to fully achieve our aims. Every country’s successful political and economic development is possible [strictly] in the conditions of stability," President Aliyev told an ECO summit in Istanbul on Thursday.

The president said long-standing political stability reigns in Azerbaijan, but unresolved conflicts and the ongoing Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories is a serious threat to the whole region.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan will not reconcile with this situation and will restore its territorial integrity though it is still seeking a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

The Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 due to Armenia’s territorial claims. The two countries fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994. About 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory, including Nagorno Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, is under the occupation of the Armenian armed forces. Peace talks have been largely fruitless so far.