Baku urges OSCE to increase efforts toward Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijan has called on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to speed up its efforts toward the resolution of the long-standing Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Ogtay Asadov, Azerbaijani parliamentary speaker said the OSCE must increase its efforts toward the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, while he met Ivica Dacic, OSCE Chairperson in Office, Serbia’s deputy premier and foreign minister, AzerTac state news agency reported.
They discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OSCE, as well as the developing of Azerbaijani-Serbian ties, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and current state relating to the settlement of the problem.
Asadov said Azerbaijan puts special emphasis on its relationship with the OSCE, saying, the country has been cooperating with the OSCE for more than 20 years.
He also provided an insight into the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as the negotiations process on the settlement of the problem.
On Azerbaijani-Serbian relations, Asadov applauded these ties, stressing the importance of reciprocal visits of the heads of states in development such ties.
He also stressed the significance of further development of economic ties, saying, this meeting would contribute to deepening relations.
Dacic, in turn, highlighted friendly relations between the two countries, saying the Serbian president would attend the opening ceremony of the First European Games. He added that regaining peace and stability in the region holds great importance for the whole Europe.
Dacic also met with the leaders of political parties represented in the Azerbaijani parliament.
Siyavush Novruzov, the deputy executive secretary of the "Yeni Azerbaijan" party, chairman of the parliament’s disciplinary commission informed about the parliament’s activity and the 11 political parties represented in it.
Speaking about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, he noted that Azerbaijan is dissatisfied with the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group on the conflict settlement.
He also stressed the importance of the OSCE Chairperson’s support in the issue of returning Azerbaijani hostages captured in the occupied Kalbajar region by Armenian forces, which act, stands in violation of international law.
Armenian forces killed Azerbaijani citizen, Hasan Hasanov and took hostage Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Asgarov in the Shaplar village in the occupied Kalbajar region last July, while they were visiting the graves of their relatives. Following a so-called “judicial process" Dilgam Asgarov was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Shahbaz Guliyev to 22 years in prison.
Furthermore, political parties' leaders present at the meeting voiced their regret that certain European Institutions have had destructive attitudes toward Azerbaijan, a reality which has been met with discontent.
They said these organizations' approach to the main problem of Azerbaijan - the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, have held double standards, noting that they don’t take any punitive measures against Armenia even though this country has kept Azerbaijani territories under occupation for over 20 years.
Expressing satisfaction with the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia, Dacic said Serbia is well aware that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity was violated.
"As OSCE Chairperson, I believe that the parties should show political will in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict", he said.
The sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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