Baku hails EU chief's statement on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
By Sara Rajabova
Baku has welcomed the statement of European Council President Herman Van Rompuy that the strengthening of stability in the Caucasus is based on the principles of territorial integrity and independence.
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman Elman Abdullayev said that the statement is an indication that the international community respects the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, and opposes a change of borders by force.
Abdullayev said this shows once again that Azerbaijan's position coincides with the stance of the world community.
Van Rompuy said in Yekaterinburg on June 4 that the principles of a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be agreed upon now. According to him, this conflict is resolvable and they would collaborate with Russia on its settlement within the framework of the existing negotiation mechanisms.
The EU has repeatedly affirmed its position on the conflict, saying that the existing status quo is insupportable and that reaching a solution remains a top priority. The organization urged both parties to the conflict to promote and encourage a peaceful solution.
The numerous resolutions adopted by the European Parliament so far -- such as the one regarding the South Caucasus region adopted in 2010 and the document on the negotiations on the Association Agreement held with Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2012 -- indicate the fact of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenian armed forces and urge an immediate withdrawal of the invading forces from all the occupied territories.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict emerged in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor. The two countries fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Armenian armed forces have since occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on a pullout from the occupied territories.
Russia, France and the U.S. have long been working to broker a solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the OSCE Minsk Group, but their efforts have been largely fruitless so far.
Peace talks are underway on the basis of a peace outline proposed by the Minsk Group 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.