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19 years since Azeri Gubadli region's occupation

31 August 2012 11:25 (UTC+04:00)
19 years since Azeri Gubadli region's occupation

August 31 is the 19th anniversary of occupation of Azerbaijan's Gubadli region by Armenian armed forces.

The region, spanning 802 square kilometers, which had population of about 30,000 people living in 94 settlements, is distinguished by its favorable location, unique picturesque landscape, rocky and steep mountains, turbulent rivers - Barkushad and Akara.

Some 283 volunteers heroically died when defending the region and seven of them were named Azerbaijani National Hero. In fact, each family suffered from Armenian armed forces' outrage. People who survived are now settled in 47 regions across the country.

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a lengthy war over the Nagorno Karabakh region that ended with the signing of a precarious cease-fire in 1994. Armenia has since occupied a part of Azerbaijan's territory, despite four UN resolutions on an unconditional pullout of its armed forces and condemnation by a number of other international groups. Peace talks, brokered by US, Russian and French mediators, have been largely fruitless so far.

Peace negotiations are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the mediating OSCE Minsk Group's co-chairs and dubbed the Madrid Principles, also known as Basic Principles. The document envisions a return of the territories surrounding Nagorno Karabakh to Azerbaijani control; determining the final legal status of Nagorno Karabakh; a corridor linking Armenia to the region; and the right of all internally displaced persons to return home.

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