Clerical leader: Inter-religious dialogue to aid Karabakh solution
The Azerbaijani clerical leader has stressed the importance of interconfessional dialogue for resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.
``I consider it expedient to solve the Nagorno Karabakh problem not only through bilateral negotiations, but also at the level of inter-religious dialogue,`` Caucasus Muslims Office chairman, Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazada said last week at a congress of world religions in Astana.
He said the Nagorno Karabakh conflict hampers the development of the entire Caucasus region.
``The heads of state with international mediation continue talks on this protracted conflict, which hinders the overall development of the region. But for success of the negotiations aimed at a peaceful and just resolution of the conflict, a constructive spirit and inter-faith dialogue are needed,`` Pashazada said.
The Karabakh conflict began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. The two countries fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a precarious cease-fire in 1994. Armenian armed forces have since occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territory, defying international calls and UN resolutions. Efforts by US, Russian and French mediators have been largely fruitless so far.
Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council`s four resolutions on a pullout from Nagorno Karabakh and the seven surrounding regions.