Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

An Azerbaijani MP has said IDPs are dissatisfied with the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, which is tasked with mediating the peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Former head of the Khojaly City Executive Power, MP Elman Mammadov made these remarks during the meeting with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in Baku on October 28.

“We are concerned, since our lands have been under occupation for over 20 years and we can’t return to our homes,” Mammadov said.

He said no single centimeter of occupied territory has been returned as a result of the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group.

“Your activities brought no results. I don’t believe in the results of your activities. The reason is that the states you represent have their own interests in the South Caucasus and these interests clash,” Mammadov said.

He considered that the disagreements between the co-chairing countries hinder a united decision on the issue.

“Everybody is aware of the current relations between the US and Russia. Therefore, you will never reach common ground,” Mammadov added.

He urged the co-chairs to distinguish between the aggressor and victim.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs are on visit to Azerbaijan following their trip to Armenia and Azerbaijan’s territories under Armenian occupation.

During the visit, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs expect to secure commitments from the two presidents to participate in a summit before the end of the year.

The latest meeting between President Aliyev and President Sargsyan took place in France last October.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over one million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities.

Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. Armenia continues the occupation in defiance of four UN Security Council resolutions calling for immediate and unconditional withdrawal.

Peace talks brokered by mediators from Russia, France and the U.S. have produced no results so far.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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