Armenia’s occupation hampers peace process: minister
By Sara Rajabova
Armenia's deliberate delay in negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict negatively affects the situation in the region, Azerbaijani Defense Minister said.
Zakir Hasanov made the remarks during a meeting with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Eric Rubin on December 5.
Referring to the military-political situation in the region, Hasanov said Armenia continues its policy of occupation which hampers the peace process, the ministry reported.
Armenia captured Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts from Azerbaijan in a war that followed the Soviet breakup in 1991. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and nearly 1 million were displaced as a result of the war.
Hasanov said relations between Azerbaijan and the U.S. has effectively developed in all directions.
Military cooperation between the two countries has been successful and there are some prospects for future collaboration, he added.
Rubin, in turn, congratulated Hasanov on his appointment as defense minister and wished him success.
He also pointed to the U.S. initiatives to broaden efforts and cooperation to restore peace in the region.
They also discussed regional and bilateral cooperation at the meeting, in which U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar also took part.
Rubin visited Azerbaijan to discuss bilateral relations with the representatives of the government and civil society.
U.S. recognized Azerbaijan's independence in December 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in February 1992. Seventy-six documents are included in the legal framework of bilateral cooperation.