UN official sees dialogue as only solution to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
By Sara Rajabova
UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Antonius Broek has said
only dialogue is a solution to the Armenia-Azerbaij
In an interview with the local media, Broek said the OSCE Minsk Group was created with the responsibility to promote the dialogue with Azerbaijan and Armenia and the other partners on the issue, trying to find solutions.
"So far, the negotiation process has not led to what we really hoped for. From the UN perspective, we really hope that a solution can be found very soon, and, of course, the key partners are helping the conflicting countries to come to an agreement," Broek said.
He also pointed out that the UN does not have a mandate to hold the discussions which are being held by the OSCE Minsk Group.
Broek said he has no mandate to implement anything on his own, but hopes that the countries will come together to find a solution, adding that "we believe in dialogue".
He also touched upon the problem of the persons displaced by the long-standing conflict.
Broek emphasized the UN's assistance in addressing the humanitarian issues.
He said as soon as an agreement has been reached, the UN will be immediately ready to work with the parties involved to implement programs focusing on humanitarian assistance.
Broek stressed the importance of assistance in fostering understanding and reconciliation among the people involved.
"I really hope that a solution can be found very soon for the benefit of everyone living in the region and, especially, for the people directly affected by the conflict," Broek said.
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia emerged over Armenian territorial claims over two decades ago. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. A fragile ceasefire has been in place since 1994, but long-standing 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 its pullout from the neighboring country's territories.
Touching upon Azerbaijan's presidency at the UN Security Council, Broek said that Azerbaijan will play an important role by spearheading discussions within the Security Council.
He added that during its membership in the Council, Azerbaijan has been very positively contributing to dialogue on key issues such as the conflict in Syria, weapons of mass destruction, etc.
According to Broek, this was a great opportunity and recognition of Azerbaijan as an important actor in the world.